March 8 marks International Women’s Day and Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk is urging Western Australians to take action to close the gender gap.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of women and to highlight the work still to be done to ensure women experience full equality.
The recent World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap report shows Australia’s overall ranking for gender equality has dropped from 15 in 2006 to 39 in 2018.
In Western Australia, women on average earn 23 per cent less than men and experience the second highest rate of reported physical and sexual violence in the nation.
The theme of International Women’s Day for 2019 – more powerful together – aims to highlight the social and economic benefits to be gained through gender equality.
The Minister will visit community groups and professional organisations in regional and metropolitan Western Australia to promote International Women’s Day, and encourage women to contribute their ideas on gender equality to the State Government’s women’s plan.
More information about International Women’s Day in Western Australia, including events and fact sheets, can be found at https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/IWD
As noted by Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk:
“In a nation defined by prosperity, stability and opportunity, women are slipping backwards.
“This isn’t a women’s issue. Equality for women just makes sense because we are more powerful together. Men, women, children, the community and our economy will all grow and prosper by closing the gender gap.
“In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, I ask everyone to consider the role they can play in achieving gender equality because we all want a Western Australia where every girl has the opportunity to fulfil her potential.”
