A few years ago, Hollywood actor and Oscar winner (and nominee for 2006), Charlize Theron, returned to South Africa, the country of her birth, and shot an anti-rape advert. It was a hard hitting advert aimed at “the men of South Africa”, in which she berated us for not taking a stronger stand against rape. In her latest movie, North Country, she pursues the theme of abuse against women. The movie is inspired by the true story of the first major class action sexual harassment case in the United States — Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines.

Besides being beautifully filmed, and wonderfully acted by all the lead and supporting roles, this movie has a strong and important theme: the way women are treated in the workplace. Its a powerful reminder that even in these so-called enlightened times, we have yet to overcome our prejudices and abuses. Women are badly treated in countless ways, overtly and subtly in the world of work. This movie reminded me again how important the message of our “World of Women” presentation is, and inspired to tell it with even more conviction and passion.

The DVD is being released at the end of this month, and will certainly find its way into my collection. I have three daughters, and when the time is right and their ages make it appropriate, I’d like them to see this movie and understand the shoulders on which they stand. I truly hope that by the time my girls step into the world, the type of discrimination and victimisation of women depicted in this movie, will have been removed and stigmatised out of existence.