[{"id":"24","title":"Story","subCats":[{"id":"53","title":"Sponsored"},{"id":"208","title":"Podcast"}]},{"id":"155","title":"Profiles","subCats":[{"id":"27","title":"Users"},{"id":"116","title":"Contributor"}]},{"id":"157","title":"Booms"}]

[{"title":"Issues/Alcohol & Drugs","id":96},{"title":"Issues/All Issues","id":5},{"title":"Issues/Animal Welfare","id":6},{"title":"Issues/Arts & Culture","id":93},{"title":"Issues/Cost of Living","id":94},{"title":"Issues/Disability","id":90},{"title":"Issues/Discrimination","id":108},{"title":"Issues/Employment","id":97},{"title":"Issues/Environment","id":8},{"title":"Issues/First Nations","id":11},{"title":"Issues/Healthcare","id":10},{"title":"Issues/Homelessness","id":91},{"title":"Issues/Housing","id":98},{"title":"Issues/Human Rights","id":95},{"title":"Issues/LGBTQIA+","id":7},{"title":"Issues/Men's Health","id":101},{"title":"Issues/Mental Health","id":13},{"title":"Issues/Multiculturalism","id":100},{"title":"Issues/Policy","id":99},{"title":"Issues/Refugees","id":86},{"title":"Issues/Senior Citizens","id":12},{"title":"Issues/Sex","id":102},{"title":"Issues/Sustainability","id":9},{"title":"Issues/Technology","id":89},{"title":"Issues/Vaping","id":676},{"title":"Issues/Violence","id":14},{"title":"Issues/Women","id":87},{"title":"Issues/Youth","id":92}]

[{"issue":"Animal Welfare","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/stijn-te-strake-UdhpcfImQ9Y-unsplash.jpg","title":"Rejecting speciesism could save us from the climate crisis and future pandemics","id":"817"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/501\/501.jpg","title":"Protecting Pets and Families","id":"501"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/483\/483.png","title":"Kosciusko National Park is worth fighting for","id":"483"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/12\/12_thumb.jpg","title":"Empty The Tanks: A Movement To End Marine Mammal Captivity","id":"12"}]},{"issue":"LGBTQIA+","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-02 14.31.30.png","title":"Local drag queens\u2019 identities are being continuously challenged in Tasmania","id":"666"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/540\/posts\/492\/492.png","title":"Queer Muslims, Islamophobia and mental health in the wake of Christchurch","id":"492"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/491\/491.png","title":"Becoming female: Chaye's transition","id":"491"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/381\/posts\/481\/481.jpg","title":"Supporting Minority Voices: Sydney theatre to watch in 2019","id":"481"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/361\/361_thumb.jpg","title":"Queer festival Fambo celebrates all kinds of families","id":"361"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/300\/300_thumb.jpg","title":"Read the Vibe: the fight to keep Newtown weird, safe and unapologetically queer","id":"300"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/252\/252_thumb.jpg","title":"It was a win, but at what cost?","id":"252"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/239\/239_thumb.jpg","title":"TJ's story on Transgender Day of Remembrance","id":"239"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/142\/142_thumb.jpg","title":"What would Fred Nile's gay-only nation state look like?","id":"142"}]},{"issue":"Environment","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/stijn-te-strake-UdhpcfImQ9Y-unsplash.jpg","title":"Rejecting speciesism could save us from the climate crisis and future pandemics","id":"817"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-07-27 14.32.19.png","title":"Big green profit machine: meet the companies making sustainability profitable\u00a0","id":"768"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/infullbloomjellyfish.png","title":"In full bloom: What jellyfish tell us about our oceans ","id":"670"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-19 15.36.50.png","title":"Climate Act Now ","id":"657"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-02-28 17.35.42.png","title":"Green New What? ","id":"654"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/539\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-03 16.56.04.png","title":"Climate action is moving at a glacial pace ","id":"589"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/438\/posts\/504\/504.jpg","title":"A Brief History of Climate Terminology","id":"504"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/379\/posts\/498\/498.png","title":"Sewing the way to a plastic-free NSW","id":"498"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"}]},{"issue":"Sustainability","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/499\/499.png","title":"Thyme for change: Schools plant local bush food gardens","id":"499"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/379\/posts\/498\/498.png","title":"Sewing the way to a plastic-free NSW","id":"498"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/379\/posts\/488\/488.jpg","title":"Reduce, Reuse, Reground","id":"488"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/483\/483.png","title":"Kosciusko National Park is worth fighting for","id":"483"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/454\/posts\/480\/480.jpg","title":"Urban farming creates solutions for sustainable produce","id":"480"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/476\/476.jpg","title":"Going against the flow: Making sustainable period products the norm","id":"476"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/366\/366_thumb.jpg","title":"Championing children to reduce food waste","id":"366"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/363\/363_thumb.jpg","title":"Conversations to save the planet","id":"363"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/333\/333_thumb.jpg","title":"The V-word","id":"333"}]},{"issue":"Healthcare","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Daisy and Casper at trial appointment.jpg","title":"A contentious experimental drug offers opportunity to children living with achondroplasia","id":"791"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/democracypendemic.png","title":"What does it mean to be a democracy during a pandemic?","id":"736"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-10 15.08.59.png","title":"I go to the store to buy milk ","id":"668"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-16 17.41.14.png","title":"Nathan Filer on why we must reimagine mental healthcare ","id":"593"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-09-25 17.27.51.png","title":"Denying Asylum Seekers Medical Treatment \u2013 the Medevac law","id":"586"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/502\/502.jpg","title":"Multicultural Care","id":"502"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/533\/posts\/500\/500.jpg","title":"The culture of women and pain in Australia ","id":"500"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/496\/496.jpg","title":"Homeless Period","id":"496"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/458\/posts\/478\/478.jpg","title":"Born a girl during China's One Child Policy","id":"478"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/477\/477.jpg","title":"Feeling lonely? You're not alone","id":"477"}]},{"issue":"First Nations","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-08-04 14.51.46.png","title":"Reimagining the past to shape the future: Contesting dominant narratives in Indigenous history","id":"771"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-17 11.41.34.png","title":"Telling her story: the podcast challenging stereotypes of female imprisonment","id":"673"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-27 15.58.44.png","title":"Yerrabingin: Bringing Indigenous thinking to food and design ","id":"663"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-11-21 11.03.53.png","title":"#JusticeForWalker cannot be divorced from Australia\u2019s colonial legacy ","id":"618"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/499\/499.png","title":"Thyme for change: Schools plant local bush food gardens","id":"499"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/457\/posts\/490\/490.png","title":"Indigenous Elders ask what it will take to stop the NT fracking industry ","id":"490"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/538\/posts\/484\/484.png","title":"Is the actor an agent of colonisation who we are neglecting to address?","id":"484"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/381\/posts\/481\/481.jpg","title":"Supporting Minority Voices: Sydney theatre to watch in 2019","id":"481"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/175\/175_thumb.jpg","title":"5 young people on why Australia needs to do better","id":"175"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/220\/220_thumb.jpg","title":"Blak Markets fight against the fake Aboriginal art trade","id":"220"}]},{"issue":"Senior Citizens","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/77\/77_thumb.jpg","title":"Embracing death as a part of life: Palliative care volunteering","id":"77"}]},{"issue":"Mental Health","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-07-28 11.41.10.png","title":"Mental health in injured athletes: Elle's story ","id":"769"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-10 15.08.59.png","title":"I go to the store to buy milk ","id":"668"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-16 17.41.14.png","title":"Nathan Filer on why we must reimagine mental healthcare ","id":"593"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/491\/491.png","title":"Becoming female: Chaye's transition","id":"491"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/382\/posts\/487\/487.jpg","title":"Boys don't cry: Talking mental health in the barbershop","id":"487"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/533\/posts\/479\/479.jpg","title":"Breaking the taboo: Mental health in immigrant communities ","id":"479"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/477\/477.jpg","title":"Feeling lonely? You're not alone","id":"477"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/475\/475.jpg","title":"The challenges of mental health services for Chinese-Australians","id":"475"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/382\/posts\/385\/quino-al-225747-unsplash.jpg","title":"Mental health in professional women's sport deserves a seat at the podium","id":"468"}]},{"issue":"Violence","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2020-08-09 at 6.57.14 pm.png","title":" Supporting Lebanese Victims: A decimated capital as the economy collapses ","id":"773"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/501\/501.jpg","title":"Protecting Pets and Families","id":"501"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/540\/posts\/492\/492.png","title":"Queer Muslims, Islamophobia and mental health in the wake of Christchurch","id":"492"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/539\/posts\/489\/489.png","title":"Three Australian Muslims talk solidarity after the Christchurch shooting","id":"489"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/535\/posts\/474\/474.jpg","title":"Project Coffee gives Chinese international students a safe space to say #MeToo","id":"474"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/340\/340_thumb.jpg","title":"'Me too.'","id":"340"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/312\/312_thumb.jpg","title":"No short-term solution for domestic violence","id":"312"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/245\/245_thumb.jpg","title":"Keeping the bastards honest: Why every university campus needs a Women\u2019s Collective","id":"245"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/159\/159_thumb.jpg","title":"Changing the space of gender inequality","id":"159"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/261\/261_thumb.jpg","title":"Why representation in the #MeToo movement matters","id":"261"}]},{"issue":"Refugees","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/377\/377_thumb.jpg","title":"Your Tradie Has A Story: Hedayat Osyan's Social Enterprise","id":"377"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/371\/371_thumb.jpg","title":"Rural Australians for refugees: an enduring model of support?","id":"371"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/345\/345_thumb.jpg","title":"Grandmothers Against the Detention of Refugee Children","id":"345"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/342\/342_thumb.jpg","title":"Crocheting Dissent","id":"342"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/293\/293_thumb.jpg","title":"Waters skills are a universal life saver","id":"293"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/270\/270_thumb.jpg","title":"House of Welcome","id":"270"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/241\/241_thumb.jpg","title":"GROW: A mental health initiative for Australia's refugees","id":"241"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/243\/243_thumb.jpg","title":"All We Can't See: Humanising the untold stories of Nauru","id":"243"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/178\/178_thumb.jpg","title":"Benita de Wit's Manus Island Project","id":"178"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/155\/155_thumb.jpg","title":"For some refugees, art can make all the difference","id":"155"}]},{"issue":"Women","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2021-08-05 at 3.26.26 am.png","title":"Up-close Lena Cruz on The Unusual Suspects, Filipino culture and stardom","id":"809"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-17 11.41.34.png","title":"Telling her story: the podcast challenging stereotypes of female imprisonment","id":"673"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-24 13.38.14.png","title":"Revolutionising period education with Bright Girl Health ","id":"661"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/501\/501.jpg","title":"Protecting Pets and Families","id":"501"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/533\/posts\/500\/500.jpg","title":"The culture of women and pain in Australia ","id":"500"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/496\/496.jpg","title":"Homeless Period","id":"496"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/485\/485.png","title":"Female voices of colour are making a groove on the nation's literary landscape","id":"485"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/458\/posts\/478\/478.jpg","title":"Born a girl during China's One Child Policy","id":"478"}]},{"issue":"Technology","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-21 10.45.25.png","title":"Experts offer unexpected solutions on how to increase public compliance and prevent a second wave of COVID-19","id":"674"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/454\/posts\/480\/480.jpg","title":"Urban farming creates solutions for sustainable produce","id":"480"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/368\/368_thumb.jpg","title":"Blockchain: A new era of trust?","id":"368"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/364\/364_thumb.jpg","title":"Asian Australian art goes online","id":"364"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/344\/344_thumb.jpg","title":"The Facebook group delivering a hug in a box to struggling farmers","id":"344"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/167\/167_thumb.jpg","title":"Minerva uses data science to increase social impact","id":"167"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/264\/264_thumb.jpg","title":"Homelessness and digital inclusion","id":"264"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/112\/112_thumb.jpg","title":"A Woman Reimagining the Limits of Science: Kelly Wong","id":"112"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/125\/125_thumb.jpg","title":"Access to water should be democratic","id":"125"}]},{"issue":"Disability","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Daisy and Casper at trial appointment.jpg","title":"A contentious experimental drug offers opportunity to children living with achondroplasia","id":"791"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/495\/495.png","title":"Rehearsal for revolution: How theatre can improve disability healthcare ","id":"495"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/473\/473.png","title":"Surviving meningococcal septicaemia: Ripu\u2019s story ","id":"473"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/376\/376_thumb.jpg","title":"Does NDIS address the needs of traumatic brain injury thrivers?","id":"376"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/127\/127_thumb.jpg","title":"Skeletons and Self-Portraits: Emily Dash challenges representations of gender and disability","id":"127"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/100\/100_thumb.jpg","title":"Reading By Ear: 2RPH brings print media to life","id":"100"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/90\/90_thumb.jpg","title":"The Many Faces of Ableism","id":"90"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/229\/229_thumb.jpg","title":"Voices from the Fringes to the Heart of Advocacy: Centring lived experience","id":"229"}]},{"issue":"Homelessness","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-05-07 11.04.47.png","title":"How are Australian charities adapting to pandemic conditions? ","id":"734"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/536\/posts\/496\/496.jpg","title":"Homeless Period","id":"496"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/469\/469.jpg","title":"A home for girls without a home ","id":"469"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/360\/360_thumb.jpg","title":"On My Feet: A unique approach to homelessness","id":"360"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/253\/253_thumb.jpg","title":"A conversation with Orange Sky Laundry founders Nick Marchesi and Lucas Patchett","id":"253"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/227\/227_thumb.jpg","title":"Community gardening as therapy with Street Growth","id":"227"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/258\/258_thumb.jpg","title":"Indigenous disadvantage hits home","id":"258"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/264\/264_thumb.jpg","title":"Homelessness and digital inclusion","id":"264"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/236\/236_thumb.jpg","title":"Humanising Homelessness with Sydney's Safe Space Kitchen","id":"236"}]},{"issue":"Youth","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/456\/posts\/499\/499.png","title":"Thyme for change: Schools plant local bush food gardens","id":"499"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/469\/469.jpg","title":"A home for girls without a home ","id":"469"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/366\/366_thumb.jpg","title":"Championing children to reduce food waste","id":"366"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/361\/361_thumb.jpg","title":"Queer festival Fambo celebrates all kinds of families","id":"361"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/345\/345_thumb.jpg","title":"Grandmothers Against the Detention of Refugee Children","id":"345"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/335\/335_thumb.jpg","title":"The Sydney Story Factory teaches marginalised youth the art of storytelling","id":"335"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/312\/312_thumb.jpg","title":"No short-term solution for domestic violence","id":"312"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/116\/116_thumb.jpg","title":"Beyond Adelaide's Fringe Festival: Girl Space and Sanaa","id":"116"}]},{"issue":"Arts & Culture","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2020-08-24 at 8.25.15 pm.png","title":"Suzy Wrong of Hungry Ghosts on why we need more powerhouse roles for trans women on Australian television","id":"775"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/388\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-09-16 13.36.30.png","title":"Australian reading hour: Rediscovering the joys of reading ","id":"584"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/497\/497.png","title":"Bankstown Poetry Slam: A powerhouse of performance poetry ","id":"497"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/495\/495.png","title":"Rehearsal for revolution: How theatre can improve disability healthcare ","id":"495"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/485\/485.png","title":"Female voices of colour are making a groove on the nation's literary landscape","id":"485"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/538\/posts\/484\/484.png","title":"Is the actor an agent of colonisation who we are neglecting to address?","id":"484"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/381\/posts\/481\/481.jpg","title":"Supporting Minority Voices: Sydney theatre to watch in 2019","id":"481"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/364\/364_thumb.jpg","title":"Asian Australian art goes online","id":"364"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/361\/361_thumb.jpg","title":"Queer festival Fambo celebrates all kinds of families","id":"361"}]},{"issue":"Cost of Living","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-10 15.08.59.png","title":"I go to the store to buy milk ","id":"668"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/378\/posts\/471\/471.png","title":"Lentil As Anything","id":"471"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/248\/248_thumb.jpg","title":"Holiday gifts that actually give","id":"248"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/236\/236_thumb.jpg","title":"Humanising Homelessness with Sydney's Safe Space Kitchen","id":"236"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/29\/29_thumb.jpg","title":"#WeLiveHere2017: Fighting for the Towers One Post at a Time","id":"29"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/28\/28_thumb.jpg","title":"A Violent Solution To The Housing Crisis","id":"28"}]},{"issue":"Human Rights","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-05-15 13.47.59.png","title":"'Now is the time for empathy\u2019: new virtual museum to explore the UN\u2019s Human Rights declaration","id":"737"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/democracypendemic.png","title":"What does it mean to be a democracy during a pandemic?","id":"736"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-17 11.41.34.png","title":"Telling her story: the podcast challenging stereotypes of female imprisonment","id":"673"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-20 11.07.15.png","title":"Experts weigh in on what makes an effective protest ","id":"659"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-09-25 17.27.51.png","title":"Denying Asylum Seekers Medical Treatment \u2013 the Medevac law","id":"586"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/486\/486.jpg","title":"Fighting to end slavery in the 21st century ","id":"486"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/537\/posts\/482\/482.png","title":"An inside look at the Vixen Collective: the only peer-run sex worker organisation in Victoria","id":"482"}]},{"issue":"Alcohol & Drugs","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mona-miller-EfUwk0C3RE8-unsplash.jpg","title":"Australia, we need to talk about our drinking problem. ","id":"772"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/300\/300_thumb.jpg","title":"Read the Vibe: the fight to keep Newtown weird, safe and unapologetically queer","id":"300"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/296\/296_thumb.jpg","title":"Court for Cannabis: The fight for a chronic cure","id":"296"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/269\/269_thumb.jpg","title":"What would drug decriminalisation do to Australia?","id":"269"}]},{"issue":"Employment","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/453\/posts\/493\/493.jpg","title":"Australia's Seaweed Warrior ","id":"493"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/377\/377_thumb.jpg","title":"Your Tradie Has A Story: Hedayat Osyan's Social Enterprise","id":"377"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/371\/371_thumb.jpg","title":"Rural Australians for refugees: an enduring model of support?","id":"371"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/360\/360_thumb.jpg","title":"On My Feet: A unique approach to homelessness","id":"360"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/241\/241_thumb.jpg","title":"GROW: A mental health initiative for Australia's refugees","id":"241"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/109\/109_thumb.jpg","title":"Online vs. Campus: Which degree is getting us further in the career ladder?","id":"109"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/131\/131_thumb.jpg","title":"Female garment workers have their voices heard in new documentary","id":"131"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/238\/238_thumb.jpg","title":"Travelling the world on Addison Road","id":"238"}]},{"issue":"Housing","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/265\/265_thumb.jpg","title":"Deciding To Make A Difference","id":"265"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/236\/236_thumb.jpg","title":"Humanising Homelessness with Sydney's Safe Space Kitchen","id":"236"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/29\/29_thumb.jpg","title":"#WeLiveHere2017: Fighting for the Towers One Post at a Time","id":"29"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/28\/28_thumb.jpg","title":"A Violent Solution To The Housing Crisis","id":"28"}]},{"issue":"Policy","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/ANU EH.png","title":"Life not as you know it for Australia's international student community","id":"765"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-04-21 10.45.25.png","title":"Experts offer unexpected solutions on how to increase public compliance and prevent a second wave of COVID-19","id":"674"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-20 11.07.15.png","title":"Experts weigh in on what makes an effective protest ","id":"659"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2020-03-19 15.36.50.png","title":"Climate Act Now ","id":"657"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/438\/posts\/504\/504.jpg","title":"A Brief History of Climate Terminology","id":"504"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/503\/503.jpg","title":"Jews for Palestine: In conversation with Naama Carlin","id":"503"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/486\/486.jpg","title":"Fighting to end slavery in the 21st century ","id":"486"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/537\/posts\/482\/482.png","title":"An inside look at the Vixen Collective: the only peer-run sex worker organisation in Victoria","id":"482"}]},{"issue":"Multiculturalism","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screen Shot 2021-08-05 at 3.26.26 am.png","title":"Up-close Lena Cruz on The Unusual Suspects, Filipino culture and stardom","id":"809"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/ANU EH.png","title":"Life not as you know it for Australia's international student community","id":"765"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/503\/503.jpg","title":"Jews for Palestine: In conversation with Naama Carlin","id":"503"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/502\/502.jpg","title":"Multicultural Care","id":"502"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/388\/posts\/497\/497.png","title":"Bankstown Poetry Slam: A powerhouse of performance poetry ","id":"497"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/432\/posts\/494\/494.jpg","title":"Injecting Intersectionality into Art Practices ","id":"494"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/540\/posts\/492\/492.png","title":"Queer Muslims, Islamophobia and mental health in the wake of Christchurch","id":"492"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/539\/posts\/489\/489.png","title":"Three Australian Muslims talk solidarity after the Christchurch shooting","id":"489"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/532\/posts\/485\/485.png","title":"Female voices of colour are making a groove on the nation's literary landscape","id":"485"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/538\/posts\/484\/484.png","title":"Is the actor an agent of colonisation who we are neglecting to address?","id":"484"}]},{"issue":"Men's Health","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/382\/posts\/487\/487.jpg","title":"Boys don't cry: Talking mental health in the barbershop","id":"487"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/369\/369_thumb.jpg","title":"The power of the mo: How Movember is saving men's lives","id":"369"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/367\/367_thumb.jpg","title":"#YesAllMen must take responsibility for the darker side of masculinity","id":"367"}]},{"issue":"Sex","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/pablo-padilla-B0U_OFXXSNo-unsplash.jpg","title":"Bending the Bars marks forty years of the dicriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria","id":"786"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/537\/posts\/482\/482.png","title":"An inside look at the Vixen Collective: the only peer-run sex worker organisation in Victoria","id":"482"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/stories\/250\/250_thumb.jpg","title":"Sex workers face financial discrimination","id":"250"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/95\/95_thumb.jpg","title":"Sex workers speaking for themselves","id":"95"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/31\/31_thumb.jpg","title":"Is This Real Life Project","id":"31"}]},{"issue":"Discrimination","articles":[{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/image006.jpg","title":"Garment workers paying the price for fast fashion industry's COVID-19 collapse","id":"790"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/mick image.jpg","title":"Bloody hard work: Reforms and regulations desperately needed to solve farming labour crisis","id":"784"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/ANU EH.png","title":"Life not as you know it for Australia's international student community","id":"765"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/users\/359\/posts\/Screenshot 2019-10-28 18.59.39.png","title":"Strategic white tears: An interview with Ruby Hamad","id":"602"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/users\/539\/posts\/489\/489.png","title":"Three Australian Muslims talk solidarity after the Christchurch shooting","id":"489"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/219\/219_thumb.jpg","title":"What is sexual racism?","id":"219"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.auimages\/stories\/250\/250_thumb.jpg","title":"Sex workers face financial discrimination","id":"250"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/268\/268_thumb.jpg","title":"The pay gap bowl-out in women's sports","id":"268"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/123\/123_thumb.jpg","title":"Sexual racism: Why do you swipe right?","id":"123"},{"thumb":"https:\/\/thequo.com.au\/images\/stories\/130\/130_thumb.jpg","title":"No to 'not all...'","id":"130"}]},{"issue":"Vaping","articles":[]}]

;

Story

Changing the space of gender inequality

by Jessica Whitty

Stories/159 , Issues/Violence , Issues/Women , Issues/Policy

Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia

15th Jan 2018

Sexual harassment towards female-identifying people has been at the forefront of media debate in recent months.

According to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE), public transport remains a leading method for daily travel for Australians, with one in eight people using trains across the capital cities.

BITRE also predicted the use of public transport would grow by 30 per cent by 2030, yet a quick Google search reveals numerous sexual harassment claims from various news outlets, largely from women who felt violated when using public transport.

While there is no uniform definition for sexual harassment in Australia, the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) defines this as a crime that includes: "stalking, unwanted touching, obscene gestures, voyeurism, unwanted sexual comments or jokes, sex-related insults, pressuring for dates or sex, indecent exposure, being forced to watch or participate in pornography, offensive written material, and unwanted offensive and invasive interpersonal communication through electronic devices or social media."

Dr Nicole Kalms, a Senior Lecturer and the founding director of the XYX Lab with a PhD in Architecture from Monash University, says that according to Victoria police statistics in 2013-14, "one in 11 incidents of sexual harassment occur on public transport.

"What we also know is that sexual harassment and sexual assault is entirely underreported by over three quarters," Dr Kalms reports.

The nature of public transport makes it a potential playground for perpetrators. Peak periods or delays and cancellations on the train, tram and bus networks often lead to congested services and the inevitability of close contact between people.

Pictured: Melbourne CBD Tram. Photo credit: Jessica Whitty.

Dr John Stone, Senior Lecturer in Transport and Urban Planning from the University of Melbourne, says other cities have contributed to making public transport safer by "increasing public transport services, making sure the bus stop is right by the station entrance so women don't have to walk across dark carparks and having shops built into the station, so people are around all the time."

Councillor Nicolas Frances Gilley chairs the transport folio for Melbourne City and says "this city will have 50 per cent more people in it in 20 years than it has now."

With this significant population increase, it is vital to create safe, accessible and gender-inclusive public transport spaces.

"...we can always do better, but we have to do better, because it's growing so quickly," emphasises Cr Gilley.

Dr Iderlina "Derlie" Mateo-Babiano, is a Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne and also leads the Women in Transport Leadership in Australia. This is 'the first knowledge network created in the Australasian region solely dedicated to empowering women and developing a mass of female transport leaders'.

Dr Derlie says "in the transport sector, more collective efforts are necessary to be able to even create a dent.

"We do not recognise that both men and women have different way-finding behaviour and travel preference. We tend to base our design on our limited understanding" which has "largely contributed to gender discrimination," she argues.

If the current design of our public transport system is adding to the problem, can it be changed to become the solution to preventing sexual harassment on public transport?

What if the planning of our urban spaces and public transport hubs could help us create safer environments?

While I consider myself fortunate to have not experienced the level of discomfort or powerlessness in these communal spaces that many others have, it intrigues me to think design may play a part.

Introducing the XYX Lab: Monash University's research project that is uncovering inequity in urban design.

The XYX Lab is a joint collaboration between communication designers, architects, urban designers and researchers, all working together with other organisations such as CrowdSpot and local government stakeholders to address this social and spatial problem.

Leading director of the Monash Art Design and Architecture (MADA) XYX Lab, Dr Nicole Kalms is passionate about "gender diversity" and ensuring these "voices are heard".

Although the XYX Lab was formally launched on 26th March last year, the research team has been working on projects since 2016, focusing mainly on women and girls as well as projects relating to LGBTQI+ communities.

Through research and statistical findings, the XYX Lab uses data to "understand" what the "conditions" of public transport areas might be and whether they "prohibit or indeed prompt sexual harassment to occur," Dr. Kalms says.

Urban planners and developers have often shaped cities and establishments in their own image, sometimes neglecting the needs of those who have actually experienced gender inequity.

Dr Stone believes that "it's really about engaging with people who have experienced some degree of discomfort in a public space and asking specifically what it is they need."

The XYX Lab does just that. As Dr Kalms says, "we invite women and girls into design environments with us and we set up a series of questions and problems and we create environments where they can actually become co-designers to think about a solution."

Through these consultations, designers were able to pinpoint certain design principles that might heighten the sense of powerlessness often experienced by women in public spaces.

The XYX Lab discovered that design objects such as "sexualised and sexist advertising in public transport spaces" caused women and girls to "feel quite vulnerable and unsafe."

Pictured: Armidale Station. Photo credit: Jessica Whitty.

Pictured: Flinders Street Station. Photo credit: Jessica Whitty.

The XYX Lab looks at the "triangulations" of "design, communication and the nature of public transport" and then uses these elements not only to design "solutions" but also to "understand them". These communal areas "require design thinking and design methods, and then we co-design as a way to think about solutions," concludes Dr Kalms.

It's time for all of Australia to acknowledge sexual harassment towards women as a real problem.

As Dr Stone argues, "designers and planners [need] to take it seriously and not retreat to a position where it hasn't happened to them.

"There's a really strong push for women to speak up and what is needed by the planning profession is to take their perspectives seriously," he concludes.

Dr Derlie has the final word. She contends that "we as women must be on the table at all times to advocate these issues," but for change to occur women also "require the support of our change partners to create a critical mass."

"While urban design and planning can help and support the co-creation of a more gender-sensitive and gender-inclusive city, design alone could not achieve this.

"Urban design and planning must be undertaken alongside a suite of interventions including policy change, awareness raising, improved infrastructure and behaviour change, with the end goal of shaping a more inclusive society," she concludes.

See the bigger picture

What you're saying Issues Nearby

Become part of the QUOmmunity

Join Now

By signing up, you agree to The QUO’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

{"lat":"-37.9105238","lng":"145.13621820000003"}

There are currently no ${type} listed. Start promoting your ${type} with us by signing up to one of our subscription plans!

Your support keeps our unique approach to independent journalism accessible to everyone. Support independent media

Support independent media

Your support keeps our unique approach to independent journalism accessible to everyone.

No matter how small your donation amount is, rest assured that it will make a difference to us.