Stephanie Copus-Campbell, who was just named Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, has been criticized online for sharing a video. Copus-Campbell introduced herself in the video as Australia’s new Ambassador for Gender Equality and said it was an honor to take on the role. She says, “I feel very lucky to be Australia’s main spokesperson for gender equality and the human rights of women, girls, and people with different gender identities around the world.”
She also said, “As I do this job, I’m determined to learn about the views and goals of communities and countries in our region and around the world, and I’m also committed to listening to people who want to make sure men and women have the same rights.” She has said many things like, Promoting equal rights for men and women is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do. It is important for Australia’s diplomatic, economic, and regional security efforts, as well as for our participation in the world.
In the Twitter comments below the video, many people are criticizing Copus’s appearance, Campbell’s attitude and speaking style, and her choice to include people of different genders. After Copus-Campbell called the video “scary,” Teena McQueen, vice president of the NSW Liberal Party, said on Sky News that Copus-Campbell should learn from her “how to blink.” McQueen also questioned why Australia needs an ambassador for equal rights for women and men.
The video was seen all over the world after Donald Trump Jr. tweeted about it and said, “Their eyes always say it before they say a word.” the new leader in Australia for equal rights for men and women. More than 6,000 comments were made, and many of them were about how pretty she was. The video was watched more than 4 million times. Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, gave Copus-Campbell the job of ambassador at the end of last year with the goal of increasing Australia’s involvement in gender equality issues around the world.
She used to work in international relations and the development of the Pacific region. It’s a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go to get gender equality that Copus-Campbell can’t just release a video to the Australian public in which she introduces herself and talks about her goals in the job without being attacked for how she looks.