Fearless Girl Lands in Federation Square

Australia's Own "Fearless Girl" Arrives In Melbourne To Continue The Fight For Gender Equality

Maurice Blackburn and partners, industry super funds HESTA and Cbus, unveil iconic statue alongside artist, Kristen Visbal.

Fearless Girl has landed in Australia and has been unveiled in Melbourne's Federation Square today, ahead of International Women's Day on the 8th of March.

The "Fearless Girl" sculpture is a limited edition reproduction of the original "Fearless Girl" sculpture in New York, created by the artist Kristen Visbal.

The iconic statue will stand in one of Australia's busiest commuter thoroughfares as a reminder of the scale of the inequality that continues to prevail in Australian workplaces.

Maurice Blackburn CEO Jacob Varghese said that he hoped Fearless Girl would be a driver of change and provide an impetus for businesses to make gender equality a reality.

"Many workplaces in Australia still have a long way to go in acting on gender equality and the impacts of this don't stop at work," Mr Varghese said.

"Issues such as gender pay gaps, fewer workplace leadership opportunities for women and not providing flexible workplaces leads to entrenched inequality that permeates all aspects of Australian society.

"In unveiling Fearless Girl for the first time here in Australia we hope to establish a powerful reminder that we must continue to fight to change our workplaces for the better in delivering equality," he said.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said having "Fearless Girl" find a home in Australia was a wonderful reminder of the courageous spirit needed to confront persisting gender inequality impacting Australians in their workplaces and communities.

"We hope "Fearless Girl" will inspire us all to be daring in confronting inequality and striving for change."

"Inequality and unequal pay impacts the financial future and opportunities available to HESTA members and Australian women. Workplace cultures based on inclusion and respect benefit all working Australians."

Cbus CEO David Atkin said he hopes Australian workplaces embrace Fearless Girl's daring and confident spirit.

"While standing silent, and at just a little taller than a metre, Fearless Girl's call for change has been heard right across the world.

"With all eyes on corporate Australia at the moment, it is the perfect time for her voice to be finding a home in Australia," Mr Atkin said.

Victorian Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams said: "The arrival of our very own Fearless Girl in Victoria is a reminder that we must continue to build a better world for future generations of women – we need to tackle pay gaps, increase the number of women in leadership positions, provide flexible work environments and ensure girls and young women have strong female role models they can look up to."

Maurice Blackburn, HESTA and Cbus are not in any way affiliated with, endorsed or licensed by State Street Global Advisors Trust Company, the commissioner of the original "Fearless Girl" sculpture, or State Street Global Advisors Australia or their related entities, in relation to the display of the reproduction of the "Fearless Girl" sculpture.