The regional launch of the Labor Government’s gender equality strategy, Our Equal State, occurred in Geelong today.
Minister for Women, Natalie Hutchins MP launched the strategy in front of a full house at the Geelong Arts Centre.
I joined the Minister at the launch along with Ella George (Member for Lara) and Alison Marchant (Member for Bellarine) and guests.
The new whole-of-government strategy sets out a roadmap for the Labor Government’s next four years of action and investment in gender equality, with 110 actions to be delivered right across government.
Our Equal State is a significant milestone under the state’s ground-breaking Gender Equality Act 2020, which requires the Minister for Women to work with all public sector organisations to develop an action plan every four years.
The strategy focuses on gender equality on childhood and youth, adulthood and older age – to highlight the gendered gaps in choices and opportunities between women, men and gender diverse people at different ages, and outlines actions to close them.
These actions fall into five categories: cultural change, health and wellbeing, safety and respect, economic equity and public sector leadership.
Our Equal State represents a strong agenda for change, backed by $2.7 billion in initiatives in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to directly address women’s needs and work towards improving outcomes for women, including $23 million to provide free pads and tampons in public places and $153.9 million for new women’s health services.
The strategy addresses the fact that gender inequality is compounded by intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage, including racism, homophobia, ableism and ageism.
Formed following community consultation, Our Equal State follows on from the release of Victoria’s inaugural gender equality strategy, Safe and Strong. Released in 2016, itwas the first of its kind in Australia – initiating landmark reforms to address the fundamental link between gender inequality and violence against women.
Our Equal State aligns with existing Labor Government strategies – Pride in our future, Victoria’s first whole-of-government LGBTIQ+ strategy, and Free From Violence, the state’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women.
To read the Strategy, visit vic.gov.au/our-equal-state-victorias-gender-equality-strategy-and-action-plan-2023-2027