The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson will be in Sale today as part of her state-wide tour to help set the Andrews Labor Government’s blueprint for gender equality in Victoria.
Ms Richardson has already visited Shepparton, Wangaratta, Mildura, Warrnambool and Ararat to help the Labor Government develop the state’s first gender equality strategy. The tour will end in Bendigo on 24 August.
The strategy is part of the Labor Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, which found that violence against women begins with bad attitudes towards women.
The consultations will touch on five themes:
- Workforce participation and economic security
- Women’s development and leadership
- Women’s education and employment (including in science, technology, engineering and maths)
- Health and wellbeing
- Violence against women and girls
Ms Richardson is also holding consultations with specific groups, including elderly, indigenous, and multicultural and young Victorians, as well as business leaders and entrepreneurs, workers, scientists, and female leaders.
The consultations will examine:
- What can this government do to make a real and practical difference to the economic, civic and social participation of women and girls?
- What more could businesses do and how can the Government support them?
- What are some of the initiatives that you know about that we should consider?
- Given that the Commonwealth Government has responsibility for child care, what should be our priorities in this area?
The strategy aims to embed gender equality within as many private and public organisations as possible and push for change at the Commonwealth level. It will be released this year.
The consultations are open to anyone. Please RSVP to genderequality@dpc.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Fiona Richardson
“Regional and rural Victorians are used to being innovative. That’s why I want their ideas on how to improve gender equality.”
“We are going to set the agenda for gender equality in this country, and I want Gippsland to play its part in developing our strategy.”
“This is not going to be just a glossy brochure. Equality is not negotiable, and improves the lives of women and men, and the Victorian economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020