The Western Australian Government is taking action to close the gender gap as it marks International Women’s Day 2020.
Despite significant advancements in recent years, progress towards gender equality remains slow.
Women in WA face the highest pay gap in Australia of 22 per cent, compared to 14 per cent nationally.
Statistics show they still bear the majority of domestic work and are at considerable risk of violence out in the community and in their own homes.
International Women’s Day is a global event that celebrates women’s successes and highlights the actions that are still required to achieve gender parity.
Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk said International Women’s Day was a time to celebrate the achievements of women in Western Australia and recognise the work that still needs to be done.
This International Women’s Day we recognise that 2020 marks 100 years since legislation was passed to enable women to run for Parliament in Western Australia.
Despite great advances since then, the number of women in State Parliament is still not representative of the Western Australian community.
‘Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality’, which was launched by Ms McGurk in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, sets out a long-term co-ordinated approach to addressing gender inequality in Western Australia over the next 10 years.
Under the plan, the State Government will partner with the business and community sectors to take action in the priority areas of health and wellbeing, safety and justice, economic independence and leadership.
The plan is accompanied by specific initiatives, including a target of 50 per cent women in top-level (Senior Executive Services) public service positions, a trial of public sector reporting to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency and a commitment to examine opportunities to use procurement to support gender equality.
Outcomes will be reported regularly over the next 10 years to track progress.
For more information about ‘Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality’, visit https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/strategies/stronger-together-was-plan-for-gender-equality/
As stated by Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk:
“There are so many incredible women across Western Australia, but they continue to be underrepresented at the top of almost every sector and experience gender disparity and discrimination in many aspects of their daily lives.
“The poor representation of women in State Parliament a century after women were first allowed to put themselves forward for election is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done.
“We have the opportunity to be the generation that drives change to ensure future generations of girls and women have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“This International Women’s Day I call on Western Australian women and men to share their vision for an equal future and help us with the implementation of Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality.
“Pursuing a society where everyone is empowered and supported to participate isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do.”
