Recommendation 142
• States and territories
The Australian Government is a strong and committed advocate for gender equality, women's empowerment and the advancement of the rights of women and girls internationally. The Government approaches this recommendation holistically, noting that advancement for women in one area impacts advancement in other areas. Accordingly, boosting women's workforce participation, economic security and leadership are important elements to achieving these goals, as is ensuring that women and girls are safe from violence. Key programmes addressing gender equality in Australia include:
- Towards 2025: An Australian Government Strategy to Boost Women's Workforce Participation, by 25 per cent by 2025.
- national pay equity campaign launched by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency
- Australian Government target of 50 percent women on Government Boards
- BoardLinks Programme, to identify board-ready women for Australian Government board
- Women's Leadership and Development Program
- National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-22, a 12 year plan that aims to reduce violence against women and their children.
- National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018
- Gender Indicators Australia, published annually, measure progress through 55 gender indicators.
The Australian Government is committed to improving gender equality in the workplace through agencies and legislation that promote equality such as the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, the Australian Human Rights Commission (including the Sex Discrimination Commissioner), the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.
The Australian Government implements a number of programmes specifically aimed at Indigenous women and girls, such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Sector Strategy which provide opportunities for Indigenous women to grow their businesses; and the Indigenous Girls STEM Academy to boost the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in STEM.
For information on state and territory policies and programmes related to gender equality, visit:
- Australian Capital Territory – Office for Women
- New South Wales – Women NSW
- Northern Territory – Office of Gender Equity and Diversity
- Queensland – Office for Women
- South Australia – Office for Women and Equal Opportunity Commission
- Tasmania – Department of Premier and Cabinet - Communities, Sport and Recreation
- Victoria – Department of Premier and Cabinet
- Western Australia – Department of Local Government and Communities