Gender equality

Women in Australia have made significant strides towards equality with men. At universities, in workplaces, in boardrooms and in government, a growing number of women have taken on leadership roles, forging pathways for other women and girls to follow.

Yet women and girls continue to experience inequality and discrimination in many important parts of their lives, which can limit the choices and opportunities available to them.

In 2017, Australia was ranked 35th on a global index measuring gender equality. While Australia scores very highly in the area of educational attainment, there is still much progress to be made in economic participation and opportunity, political empowerment, and sexual abuse and harassment.

The main barriers to women are:

Gender segregation in employment (women dominate part-time and low-paid work, are underrepresented in leadership roles, and perform the majority of unpaid care work)
Women accumulate less superannuation than men and are more likely to experience poverty in their retirement years
More than one in three Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and one in two experiences sexual harassment.

[Source: Australian Human Rights Commission]

Gender equality

Australian Human Rights Commission

A reliable source for facts about gender equality in Australia. The Commission helps people resolve complaints of unfair treatment under the Sex Discrimination Act, including discrimination on the basis of sex, marital (or relationship) status and pregnancy and potential pregnancy. The Sex Discrimination Commissioner works in partnership with a broad range of groups to promote gender equality and counter discrimination, sexual harassment, violence against women and other barriers to gender equality. She also undertakes major research projects and provides policy advice to government and others to bring about positive change.

Equality Rights Alliance

Equality Rights Alliance is Australia’s largest network advocating for women’s equality, women’s leadership and recognition of women’s diversity. They bring together 65 organisations with an interest in advancing women’s equality.

Workplace Gender Equality Agency

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency is an Australian Government statutory agency created by the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. The Agency is charged with promoting and improving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

The Australian Gender Equality Council

Responding to the unacceptably slow pace of change towards gender equality in Australia, leading organisations have come together to form the Australian Gender Equality Council (AGEC), a national not-for-profit organisation. AGEC’s vision is simple – to achieve gender equality in Australia. Through high profile national awareness campaigns, advocacy and research, it aims to drive a cultural shift in Australia so that women and men have the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of the community. We believe that gender equality will be achieved when the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued, respected and are manifest in Australian society.

The 5050 by 2030 Foundation

The 50/50 by 2030 Foundation is a bold new gender equality initiative designed to help achieve gender parity in leadership by the year 2030. Backed by world-class research expertise, the 5050 by 2030 Foundation aim to develop evidence based theory and leading practice on the role of women in strengthening public administration and improving governance and national wellbeing. Bespoke training modules, seminars and events aim to challenge the prevailing discourse around women, power and public leadership.

Video – The Feed - Gender Equality in Australia

Consent - your rights and support links

Kids Helpline: What is Consent

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available via WebChat, phone or email anytime and for any reason.

ReachOut: 5 Things You Need to Know About Consent

ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Our trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information we offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too. Accessed by more than 2 million people in Australia each year, ReachOut is a free service that’s available anytime and pretty much anywhere.

Youth Law Australia: Sex and Dating

Youth Law Australia is a community legal service that is dedicated to helping children and young people in Australia and their supporters to find a legal solution to their problems.

Child Family Community Australia: Age of Consent Laws in Australia

The Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) information exchange’s mission is to be the primary source of quality, evidence-based information, resources and interactive support for professionals in the child, family and community welfare sector. It plays a critical role in closing the gap between research, policy and practice.

Yerp: Ethics, safeguarding and consent

If you’re 12-25, Yerp will give you ideas for stepping up and making change in your community. If you’re older, Yerp will show you why it makes sense to involve young people in what you do – and how you can go about it. And if it’s your job to work with young people, you’ll find Yerp particularly useful. Yerp is proudly brought to you by the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic).

Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People: Consent

The Advocate for Children and Young People is an independent statutory office reporting to the NSW Parliament through the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Children and Young People. The office is established under the Advocate for Children and Young People Act 2014. The Advocate for Children and Young People is supported by a small team in the Department of Communities and Justice.

Australian Law Reform Commission: Consent

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) is one of the most effective and influential agents for legal reform in Australia. The ALRC is an independent Australian Government agency that undertakes research and provides recommendations to reform the law on topics selected by the Attorney-General of Australia.

#metoo movement org

#metoo movement org

Dedicated to sexual assault awareness and disrupting rape culture. The website explores what rape culture is, where it happens, and how we can all take a brave step today to be disruptors. There is also information on survivor healing a resources library.

1800 Respect: National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service

1800 Respect: National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service

Confidential information, counselling and support service for people experiencing violence and abuse. Includes information on identifying types of violence and abuse, healthy relationships, safety planning, supporting someone, and finding services.