28 August 2026

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Thanks to today’s partner PCYC

It’s Friday, and we’ve got plenty to get through before the weekend!

Starting with new research from Monash University which reveals just how much teachers are seeing the influence of the manosphere and gendered violence play out in schools. 78 per cent report observing or experiencing gendered violence, while one in two say it’s increasing among students. A staggering 95 per cent believe at least some students are accessing manosphere content. Angela Priestley reports.

We’re also looking at the death of an 18-year-old woman in custody, and why the headlines focused on the charges she faced rather than the circumstances of her death. Debbie Kilroy and Tabitha Lean ask why empathy for criminalised women can be in such short supply.

Meanwhile, fresh allegations involving the Sydney Swans have again put football culture under the microscope. Has it actually changed, or just become better at talking about change? Dr Rachel Matthews shares this take.

And in some fascinating health news, researchers are exploring whether a routine mammogram could one day do more than screen for breast cancer, with AI potentially able to detect signs of cardiovascular disease, too.

It’s your FINAL CHANCE to snag an IRL ticket to the Women’s Health & Wellbeing Summit next Tuesday in Sydney. This is not a drill (honestly, I think there’s 5 left)!

Or, sign up for our FREE livestream offered to all Women’s Agenda subscribers. Know someone who’d benefit? Pass the message on and tell them to subscribe ahead of Tuesday.

More on site!

Tarla Lambert-Patel
Editor in Chief & Co-Founder

The Key Quote

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.

Remembering, once more, the stunning life and legacy of Dolly Parton, who died this week at the age of 80 after a short stint of cancer.

On Women's Agenda Today

Racism happens when racist rhetoric becomes normalised

Australia is a multicultural country, but growing racist rhetoric is making people question how welcome everyone really feels. Read more +

Dolly Parton’s philanthropic Imagination Library had a proven effect in Australia, and around the world

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is helping Australian children read more, build early literacy skills and enjoy books from a young age. Read more +

The children’s book celebrating Victoria’s first female Premier (just in time for Book Week)

Joan Kirner’s story shows why we need more stories about women who fought to make political leadership more equal. Read more +

Fertility preservation is not a privilege. It’s quality cancer care

Young cancer patients have won continued access to fertility treatment, but the fight for lasting protection is not over. Read more +

An 18-year-old woman died in custody. The headlines told us why we shouldn’t feel sorry for her

If our analysis of violence against women stops at the prison gate, we leave women with the least institutional power on the outer. Read more +

The Key Figure

95%

That’s how many educators believe that boys in their classrooms are accessing and watching manosphere content.

The win

New research suggests artificial intelligence may be able to use routine mammogram scans to identify signs of cardiovascular disease

If validated and adopted in clinical settings, it could one day offer women information not just about breast cancer, but about another major health risk that too often goes undetected until it is already advanced.

On The Women's Agenda Podcast

Check out our weekly podcast

This week on Women's Agenda, the highs of the women's game and the very deep lows following the actions of men. Plus, all the language that skirts around the issues to protect reputations Still, there were the wins! Deborah Mailman becoming the first Aboriginal person inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame, and the AFLW roaring back with big double-header crowds (and six matches around men's grand final weekend).

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