Minister for Women Fiona Richardson will wrap up her statewide tour of regional centres in Bendigo next week – part of a consultation blitz to help set the Andrews Labor Government’s blueprint for gender equality in Victoria.
After six weeks and 3600km, Ms Richardson will lead the final regional session to help develop Victoria’s first ever Gender Equality Strategy in Bendigo on 24 August. She has also visited Ararat, Warrnambool, Sale, Shepparton, Mildura and Wangaratta.
The strategy, which will be released this year, aims to embed equality and respect for women and men within as many private and public organisations as possible and push for change at a Commonwealth level.
It is also part of the Labor Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, which found that violence against women begins bad attitudes towards women.
Ms Richardson will also lead consultations with specific groups:
- Small business, innovation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): 23 August, 10am-12 noon
- Senior Victorians: 25 August, 10am-12 noon
- Culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians: 25 August, 6pm-7.30pm
- Young Victorians (ages 13-24): 26 August, 4pm-6pm
- Leaders for gender equality: 8 September, 9am-12.30pm
- Corporate leaders, 8 September: 1pm-3.30pm
- Media, entertainment and the arts: 9 September, 9am-11am
- Consultation open to all Victorians: 9 September, 1pm-3pm
Ms Richardson has already consulted with Aboriginal Victorians, Victorians with a disability and the LGBTI community.
For any queries or to register for any of the sessions, please email genderequality@dpc.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Fiona Richardson
“This gender equality roadshow has been invaluable. We want our strategy to reflect the full breadth of the community it serves.”
“We are going to set the agenda for gender equality in this country, and I want Bendigo and the rest of regional Victoria to play their part.”
“Equality is not negotiable – it’s good for women and men, and it is good for our economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020