- Published:
- Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 12:00 pm
Board games illustrate gender equality
Engaging staff in gender equality conversations can bring up complex ideas and differing views. Commission staff recently tried a suite of innovative board games to support open conversations. The award-winning games from Latin Stories Australia were thought-provoking, informative and fun.
Three unique board games have been created as part of the La Sobremesa(opens in a new window) program by not-for-profit organisation Latin Stories Australia. The evidence-based program fosters conversations about gender equality, healthy relationships, and consent. This structured, playful approach creates a safe environment for open discussions, learning and reflection.
“La Sobremesa” is a Spanish and Latin American tradition of having relaxed, informal conversations at the table after a meal. With this in mind, the program invites participants to slow down, connect and reflect.
The games use an intersectional lens and aligns with key frameworks and policies including Our Watch’s Change the Story Framework(opens in a new window), the Victorian Government’s gender equality action plan Our Equal State(opens in a new window), and Victoria’s affirmative consent laws.
Commission staff took part in a workshop with Latin Stories Australia to hear about the La Sobremesa program, and to try out the board games.
Staff experienced three games, each with its own focus and format:
- Uneven – a board game that playfully demonstrates gendered economic, social, and cultural barriers
- Who is who – a bingo-style game that challenges gender stereotypes
- What it is – a snap-inspired game that explores consent.
The games prompted Commission staff to learn new facts about gender equality, reflect on our assumptions and biases, and gain insights into the lived experience of others.
The La Sobremesa program also includes a comic book that highlights red flags of unhealthy relationships.
Latin Stories Australia offers La Sobremesa workshops for organisations and community groups. These sessions promote gender equality, team building and workplace inclusion.
Feedback from workshop participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Over the past year, 97% of participants found the sessions to be engaging and would recommend attending them. Overall, 87% participants say that the session improved their understanding of gender equity, stereotypes and consent.
La Sobremesa was developed with funding from the Victorian Government.
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