Hot Issues

A new approach to the long term care of survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

The Government's new paid parental leave scheme

AWC Submission to the Government's Review of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace (EOWW) Act and Agency (EOWA)

On 16 October 2009 the AWC made its Submission to the Government's Review of the EOWW Act and Agency. The submission strongly advocates for Government action to dramatically improve women's equality at work (including pay equity). To achieve change of the magnitude necessary to progress gender equality at work significantly, the AWC believes more Government resources will be needed. The adequacy of the funding to accompany changes to the framework promoting equality at work will be a marker of how serious the Government is about achieving change.

The New National Women's Health Policy

AWC prepared a submission on the New National Women’s Health Policy (NWHP). The submission drew on clinical and social evidence relating to access and equity in women’s health policy nationally. It also drew on the diverse views of AWC member organisations collected at a national consultation forum held on 16-17 May 2009. The Australian Women’s Coalition strongly endorses the approach taken in the Consultation Discussion Paper3 in preparation for the new National Women’s Health Policy. The focus on the social determinants of health; gender and health inequity; social inclusion; preventive approaches and in particular, the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, migrant and refugee women are all timely evidence-based approaches to women’s health which are in line with the AWC's values and policies. The AWC also supports the consultation processes engaged with so far in preparation of the Policy.

Australian Women’s Coalition activities relating to the National Human Rights Review

AWC actively encouraged its member organisations to participate in the national human rights consultation forums. In addition, a number of AWC’s member organisations made written submissions to the consultation.

Time for Action to Reduce Violence against Women & Children

The Australian Government released Time for Action, the major report of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. The report made recommendations designed to tackle the unacceptable levels of sexual assault and domestic and family violence in Australia, and gives all governments and the community clear directions about helping Australian women live free of violence, within respectful relationships and in safe communities.

The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women - Immediate Government Actions

The Government’s goal is to reduce all violence in our communities. Sexual assault and domestic and family violence are among the most pervasive forms of violence. The Government’s position on domestic violence and sexual assault is one of zero tolerance—one victim of violence is one too many. Sexual assault and domestic and family violence are crimes most often perpetrated by men against women. This violence is usually perpetrated by men whom women know, in their own home and often repeatedly.

Launch of Time for Action Report

Government announces launch of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children’s Time for Action report

A Snapshot to Time for Action

Launch of the report of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. “As a nation, the time has well and truly come to have a national conversation – a public national conversation, not a private one – about how it could still be the case that in 2008 so many Australian women could have experienced violence... It is my gender – it is our gender – Australian men – that are responsible. And so the question is: what are we going to do about it?” The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP Prime Minister of Australia, 2008

Women in Australia

“Women in Australia 2009, the fifth in this biennial series, contains a range of statistics and commentary regarding the status of women in key areas, including women’s economic independence, education and training, and health and wellbeing.

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