WHAT’S NEWS IN GENDER EQUITY?

In our relentless pursuit of gender equity, every step forward is a testament to the power of vision and courage. It’s about more than just closing gaps; it’s about creating environments where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.

This journey is marked by moments of celebration and reflection. In November, we gathered for an Awards Night that shone a spotlight on those who are not just talking about change but actively making it happen. But our commitment to understanding and amplifying their efforts didn’t end there.

In March, we reconvened over breakfast to go beyond the accolades. We listened to the winners and finalists, eager to understand the “why” behind their initiatives and the “how” of their implementation. Their stories are more than just narratives; they are blueprints for a better future, filled with practical steps and inspiring examples. These leaders are not just paving the way for gender equity—they are redefining it. And their work reminds us that the journey is ongoing, driven by a shared vision of a world where equity isn’t an aspiration but a reality.

Watch this short video to see some of the highlights.

A world full of empowered women is not one where men are marginalised. It’s world where everyone thrives.

Purnima Mane, President and CEO of Pathfinder International

TOOLS & RESOURCES

In 2024, Australia has seen the launch of several significant initiatives to promote gender equity. Here are five notable ones:

1. National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality

The Australian Government launched the “Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality” in March 2024. This ten-year plan aims to address gender-based violence, economic equality, health disparities, and leadership representation, emphasizing collaborative efforts from all sectors of society to shift attitudes and stereotypes driving gender inequality (Source).

2. Status of Women Report Card 2024:

This report provides a comprehensive overview of gender disparities in various sectors, highlighting issues such as the gender pay gap, unpaid care work, and representation in leadership roles. It serves as a benchmark for measuring progress and identifying areas needing targeted action (Source).

3. Gender Equality Scorecard:

Published by WGEA, this annual scorecard provides critical data on workforce participation, leadership, and pay equity. It aims to inform policy and drive accountability among employers, promoting transparency and encouraging actions to bridge gender gaps in the workplace (Source).

4. Capacity Building Programs:

Various capacity-building programs, including live masterclasses and action planning tools, are being offered to help employers understand and implement effective gender equality practices. These initiatives focus on practical steps organizations can take to create more equitable workplaces (Source).

5. SME Tool Kit

The Victorian government launched the Pay equality toolkit is a suite of resources to support Victorian small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to achieve equal pay. While small business can be defined in a variety of ways, the Pay equality toolkit is designed for organisations (including not-for-profit organisations) with between 2 and 50 workers (Source).

6. Women @Work a Global Outlook

Now in its fourth year, Deloitte’s Women @ Work: A Global Outlook examines some of the critical workplace and societal factors that can profoundly impact women’s careers. The findings are thought-provoking. They give us insight into the challenges, both in and out of the workplace, faced by the world’s working women today—and how far employers around the world still have to go to create workplaces where women thrive (Source).

These initiatives reflect a broad and coordinated effort to advance gender equity in Australia, involving government, businesses, and civil society working together towards common goals.