From Jokes to Justification: How Misogyny Became a Staple in Australian Pop Culture

Whether it be radio rants or Married at First Sight confessions, one thing is clear: misogyny masquerading as entertainment is no longer just an unspoken rule - it is a staple of Australian pop culture.

With over 100 women reported killed at the hands of male violence in 2024, the conversation surrounding women’s safety has never been more prominent, and yet there has been a prominent increase in misogyny throughout mainstream media platforms. It is the fact this this portrayal of misogyny has been promoted to viewers or listeners as a joke or even justified for the sake of “entertainment” that has many outraged.

This focus on the rise of misogyny in the mainstream space came to the forefront following comments made by former Triple M host Marty Sheargold in which he broadcast a ‘joke’ saying that endometriosis was a made up condition, even after other co-hosts attempted to cut him off Sheargold told the audience, “God, don’t these ladies just carry on. Jesus Christ there is no end of it. Honestly, endometriosis, and this is controversial… it’s made up.”

Malithi Weragama is a Meanjin (Brisbane) based activist who personally suffers from chronic pain, which has failed to receive a clear diagnosis. Since she was 14 she has tried to get answers but feels she has been dismissed by the medical system, and just given band-aid solutions to what she says is debilitating pain. She also says there is simply not enough awareness about these conditions, saying that most young girls will have never heard of conditions such as endometriosis due to the stigma, so the fact that there are those who question the validity of others pain is ridiculous.

“Most young girls have not even heard of Endometriosis because of how stigmatised it is. So it is ridiculous to claim that people are ‘making it up for attention’”

Malithi highlighted how it was important that more people learn about conditions like endometriosis, and she is not alone in that sentiment. According to Endometriosis Australia, one in seven Australian women or people assigned as female at birth will live with endometriosis at some point in their life, with the disease most likely beginning in their teenage years. This equates to approximately 14% of the Australian population and yet there are still people who have never heard of the disease.

When asked about the comments made by Marty Sheargold, Malithi made her feelings crystal clear; she said it not only furthers the stigma that people are making up their pain for attention but also invalidates women who have already been consistently dismissed by the medical system, saying,

“These comments promote a rhetoric that not only furthers the stigma that we are making up our pain for attention, but also invalidates women further, these are SAME women who have been dismissed consistently by the medical system.”

Malithi says as someone who suffers from Chronic Pain she has had countless “band-aid” solutions thrown at her, and Marty Sheargold’s comments about Endometriosis promotes a rhetoric that invalidates women who are already consistently dismissed by the medical system. Alongside her activism work she aims to destigmatise Chronic Pain through her Miss World Beauty With A Purpose Campaign Project ‘Prosper Amidst Pain’. (Instagram: malithiiiii_)

Alongside her activism work, Malithi was also the Preliminary Finalist in Miss World Australia 2024 and is Queensland’s State Finalist for Miss World Australia in 2025. As part of her role as a finalist, Malithi was tasked with coming up with a campaign for the Miss World Beauty With a Purpose Campaign. And thus Prosper Amidst Pain was born, a project that focuses on bringing more awareness to chronic pain issues as well as providing support to people with chronic pain as well as their loved ones, in order to break down stereotypes and stigma of what it is like to live with chronic pain. Although Malithi did say it was a challenge to narrow down what she wanted to focus on, telling her social media,

“I'm a very passionate person and care about a multitude of issues. So it was a challenge to narrow down what I wanted to focus on ... After months of racking my brain I came up with Prosper Amidst Pain a project focused on bringing more awareness and support to people that suffer with Chronic Pain as well as their loved ones.”

Prior to Sheargold and Triple M parting ways, he came under fire for further comments for a second broadcast in which Sheargold compared The Matildas to Year 10 girls and said he would rather ‘hammer a nail through the head of his penis’ than watch them play. This did lead the station and Sheargold to mutually part ways, but this was not until after there was an outpouring of outrage targeted at Sheargold and his co-hosts who failed to reprimand him live on air.

Sheargold acknowledged the gravity of his statement and apologised to the Matildas and the broader community for his comments. But for some, it has raised questions about where the checks and balances are when it comes to what is broadcast across the Australian media space.

But what happens when it isn’t just a ‘joke’ that is broadcast? What happens when violent behaviour that is typically perpetuated against women is portrayed as ‘drama’ or ‘entertainment’ and is splayed across millions of television screens on one of the most popular primetime television programs in Australia? This has been the question of many in the wake of a recent Married at First Sight Episode in which one of the (male) contestants lashed out at a fellow (female) contestant in an argument and even punched a wall in this outburst.

This particular episode garnered criticism for the lack of trigger/content warnings aired before the episode's broadcast, as well as the fact that this contestant was not reprimanded for his behaviour.

Australian based nonprofit What Were You Wearing has called for Married at First Sight Producers, Channel 9 and Production Company Endemol Shine to take accountability to ensure that abuse or violent behaviour is not portrayed in a positive light for the sake of entertainment through demands and petitions. (Instagram: whatwereyouwearing_)

What Were You Wearing is an Australian-based nonprofit that was responsible for organising the various nationwide marches last year calling for an end to women’s violence.

The organisation lobbied to Channel 9 demanding that the contestant be taken off the show as well as a list of various other demands to ensure safety for cast, crew and viewers alongside a petition which has recieved over 12,000 signatures. In a statement What Were You Wearing told social media that it is important that abuse is never normalised for the sake of entertainment.

“Abuse should never be normalised or framed as entertainment.” - What Were You Wearing said in a statement posted to their social media.

Channel 9 are yet to have responded to What You Were Wearing’s demands, and as of right now this contestant is still participating in the show The petition started by What Were You Wearing is ongoing.

New South Wales Police have launched an investigation into Married at First Sight and Channel 9 in the wake of this event.

So is misogyny as entertainment on the rise or has it always been the norm? Well, one thing is clear, attitudes are shifting and sometimes not for the better. Thanks to the likes of Andrew Tate and other social media gurus that fall under the “redpill” movement misogyny is rife among young adolescents algorithms. So it is now more important than ever that public figures, especially influential male public figures and the mainstream media do not further promote harmful behaviour that can - and has, lead to more womens deaths, and instead promote content and ideas that combat this harmful rhetoric.

If you or anyone you know needs support please call 1800RESPECT or get in touch with DV Connect on 1800 811 811.

Note from Jaya:

This story goes deeper than just a radio rant or a reality show though. Whilst writing this article I was inspired by elements of this story to do a deep dive into Endometriosis and that has now shifted into what I am calling “The Chronic Joke Project” in which I did a callout asking about womens experiences with the medical system, and let me tell you the responses have been nothing short of heartbreaking, I knew I would get some responses but I was not ready for my inbox to be FLOODED with stories from women saying that they have not only had their medical conditions or concerns ignored but in some cases they have been belittled or berated by the medical professionals who are meant to help. If you or anyone you know would like to make a submission to “The Chronic Joke” project please reach out to me either via the contact form on the website or alternativley you can contact me on lichyjaya@gmail.com