Some of Victoria’s brightest minds are helping the Andrews Labor Government form the state’s first ever Gender Equality Strategy as part of a three-week consultation blitz.
Startup entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers will take part in a consultation tomorrow, August 23, to help set the Labor Government’s blueprint for gender equality in Victoria.
Minister for Women Fiona Richardson will host the session on how gender inequality affects Victorians in STEM industries, innovation and small business, and how equality could be improved.
For example, while women make up 46 per cent of the Australian workforce, they represent just 20 per cent of the digital tech workers. Of these, 30 per cent leave the field within 10 to 15 years.
The working session will kick off with a short panel discussion by:
- Michelle Gallaher, The Social Science
- Atlanta Daniel, Signal Ventures
- Jacqueline Savage, Medcorp Technologies
- Rohini Kappadath, Sharebox and winner 2015 Telstra Businesswomen Awards (Victorian Corporate and Private)
Ms Richardson has already consulted with Aboriginal Victorians, Victorians with a disability and the LGBTI community and led consultations in Shepparton, Wangaratta, Mildura, Ararat, Warrnambool and Sale.
The Gender Equality Strategy aims to embed equality within as many private and public organisations as possible and push for change at the Commonwealth level.
It is also part of Victoria’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, which finds that violence against women begins with bad attitudes towards women.
For more information on our Gender Equality Strategy, see
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
“Science, engineering, technology and innovation will be the foundation of many of our future careers, yet women are frequently excluded from them. We want to find out why, and how they can better reflect the community they serve.”
“Small businesses employ more people than any other part of the economy. It’s also where much of our innovation is coming from – we want all Victorians to benefit, regardless of their gender.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
“Our future economy will be based on ideas – and there is no better business plan than allowing every Victorian to reach their potential. It’s good for them – and it’s good for the rest of the state.”
The sessions are:
- Small business, innovation and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): 23 August, 10am-12 noon
- Bendigo regional consultation: 24 August, 6pm-7.30pm
- Senior Victorians: 25 August, 10am-12 noon
- Culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians: 25 August, 6pm-7.30pm
- Young Victorians (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
Reviewed 19 August 2020