Triple M radio host Jane Kennedy cried on air yesterday as she explained to listeners why she was leaving her national drive time show, Kennedy Molloy.
And it’s a scenario every working mother will find incredibly relatable, with Kennedy - who is married to comedian Rob Sitch - noting on that she wants to be "fully present" for her five children (below).
“This is what’s going on," Kennedy said during her final radio show. "In 2020 with lockdown and COVID, I had four teenagers doing homeschooling. That’s pretty full-on to be honest.
“This year I have two university kids, I’ve got a VCE/HSC student, I’ve got two years 9s, all living at home, and I thought I could juggle everything.
"I tried to make both work but it’s just become too hard to keep that balance in check so I’m waving the white flag.
“This is the highlight of my day, as you know. You put a lot of effort into it and I just felt I couldn’t do 100% with the kids and with a radio show.
“Unfortunately these pesky five teenagers are going to have to come first. That is what’s happened. I’m sorry everyone, I’ve loved it. It’s bloody overwhelming and I want to do the right thing by your kids.”
Kennedy also thanked her co-host Mick Molloy for insisting on equal pay during their partnership.
“Thank you, Micky, for being a gentleman with me,” she said. “Also, one of the first men in this country to absolutely insist on parity … also calling the show Kennedy Molloy.
“There is no doubt that we’re treated as equals and I just wanted to make sure I let everyone know that. Thank you very much for that, Micky, that meant a lot.”
Molloy said: “Jane Kennedy is the funniest, smartest, toughest chick I know. If she says she’s got too much on her plate, then that’s the end of the argument. Jane will be missed by me, our team and anyone who enjoys listening to cracking radio. I guess I will have to chalk this up as yet another significant relationship with a woman that didn’t last as long as I would have liked.”
Head of the Triple M Network Mike Fitzpatrick added: “The past year has created an opportunity for many of us to reassess our lifestyle priorities and I think there’s a lot of people going into 2021 with a renewed focus on what’s most important in our lives. It’s been so wonderful having Jane on Triple M, she will be missed by us all.
“Triple M’s national drive home will now be hosted by Mick Molloy and the brains trust has worked overtime to come up with a new show name. Molloy will commence Monday afternoon at 4pm across the Triple M network.”
COVID’s huge impact on working mums
Monash University reports that Australian women have lost jobs and/or hours of work at a greater rate than men during COVID-19. They have also been required to take on additional responsibilities such as home learning, and increased caring and domestic duties.
Not surprisingly, a large national mental health survey found women to be at higher risk of detrimental mental health impacts.
More than 100,000 women have left the labour market during COVID-19, with female participation falling to 60%, compared with 70% for men. When the number of women unemployed is combined with those who worked zero or fewer hours than normal (taking non-scheduled caring leave), the number rises to two million.
“As a nation, we must recognise and redress these pandemic-driven gender equity challenges,” the report states.
“Australian women and their families deserve a coordinated, bipartisan, federal-state response to protect health, wellbeing and equity for women as a social justice, rather than a political issue.
“As a country, we can and must do better. Yet for too long we’ve failed to adequately address the problem, and progress has been slow.
“We recommend leveraging evidence that gender diversity in policy leadership enhances equity, and improves the health and wellbeing of women and children.”
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