4 Green, International Grammar School
Fair Play: Our vision for shared spaces (2025)
Coloured pencil on paper
Chapter
summary
French geographer Yves Raibaud’s research showed that cities are “made by and for men”: girls in the city of Bordeaux were benefiting half as much from sports subsidies…
Artist
statement
Why did the council fund more sports often played by boys than girls? Because they thought boys were sportier than girls, which isn’t true. Why do boys and girls…
Prof. Vijeyarasa's
reflections
I had the wonderful privilege of talking to my own daughter’s class about Raibaud’s intervention in Bordeaux and what is sometimes called a ‘gender play gap’…
Chapter summary
Gender-Responsive Budgeting: Law as the Lever to Embed Gender in Budgetary Frameworks
French geographer Yves Raibaud’s research showed that cities are “made by and for men”: girls in the city of Bordeaux were benefiting half as much from sports subsidies compared to boys. Activities like football and rugby were free while dance was not; 95% of skatepark users were boys. Reforms in Bordeaux shifted participation in the Summer on the Quays program from 80% boys in 2011 to 52% girls in 2019. Gender-responsive budgeting challenges the illusion of neutrality in government spending. Its impact over five decades has been seen globally: in South Africa, it led to child support payments for primary carers, in South Korea, prompted changes to the Public Toilet Act to ensure equal or greater number of facilities for women; and in Belgium, saw a lowering of street lamp heights for safety and improved paving for prams. Yet without laws mandating its practice, continuity is fragile, as Australia knows well. To make gender-responsive budgeting thrive, we must rewrite the rules to guarantee accountability and permanence of gender-responsive budgeting.
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Artist statement
Why did the council fund more sports often played by boys than girls? Because they thought boys were sportier than girls, which isn’t true. Why do boys and girls feel like they should play certain sports? Many people tell children to play sports that are "meant" to be for their gender. 4 Green thought that girls and boys should have equal rights to sports and that all sports should be available to girls and boys. Should boys and girls be allowed to be on the same team (e.g., Soccer, hockey etc.)? YES!
4 Green drew a lot of pictures about girls and boys both having equal rights to enjoy sports. Many students drew a park, but others drew streams, pools, sporting fields and other areas. Andia did a park with the same amount of girls and boys playing. Maddie drew a picture showing that you can do anything, whether you are a girl or boy. Finn drew a triathlon and it depicts multiple people with many different abilities and genders. Jasper drew boys and girls on the beach and Sofia drew sports that many think are only for girls or only for boys including soccer and gymnastics, that both boys and girls should enjoy.
4 Green said that they enjoyed this process and would be happy to do it again. Many were overjoyed to hear that their art would be shown in a real art exhibition. 4 Green would like to say thank you to Ramona Vijeyarasa, who immersed the children in this fun opportunity. We also thank the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We show respect to Elders past, present, and future and look forward to seeing our artworks on display.
Prof. Vijeyarasa's reflections
I had the wonderful privilege of talking to my own daughter’s class about Raibaud’s intervention in Bordeaux and what is sometimes called a ‘gender play gap’. Many—especially the girls—expressed the view that this was unfair and that public money should be distributed fairly. I asked the students, if they were the mayor of a local council, how would they do things differently to make sure that public spaces for play are fair and accessible for everyone. When the students moved past the daunting nature of a blank page, their ideas came alive as they boldly and happily imagined the type of public spaces, places and sports that they themselves would enjoy. Thanks to 4 Green for welcoming me into their classroom!