GENDER EQUALITY ROADSHOW HITS THE HIGHWAY

Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, today embarks on a statewide tour to help set the Andrews Labor Government’s blueprint for gender equality in Victoria.

Ms Richardson will be crisscrossing the state for the next six weeks – including Shepparton, Wangaratta, Mildura, Ararat, Warrnambool, Traralgon, Sale and Bendigo – leading 16 consultations to help the Labor Government develop a gender equality strategy to benefit all Victorians.

The roadshow 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 will also hold consultations with specific groups including elderly, indigenous, and multicultural and young Victorians, as well as business leaders and entrepreneurs, workers, scientists and female leaders, examining:

• 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 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?

Victoria’s first-ever gender equality strategy is part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, which found that violence against women begins with bad attitudes towards women.

The strategy aims to embed equality within as many private and public organisations as possible and push for change at the Commonwealth level. It will be released this year.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Fiona Richardson

“We are going to set the agenda for gender equality in this country. We want Victoria to be the best state supporting women.’’

“People have asked me for committed long-term leadership, not just a pretty brochure. That is what I intend to do because equality is not negotiable and improves the lives of women and men, and the Victorian economy.’’

“This strategy will be Victoria’s gender scorecard, allowing us to track our performance for women over time.’’