Gender Equality Act 2020

Kristine Olaris Chief Executive OfficerWomen’s Health East

TFER Community of Practice - 12 May 2020

Together For Equality & Respect

A society where women live free from men’s violence – where every

girl and boy grows up to be equally valued, heard and

respected, and with equal access to opportunities

Gender Equality Act 2020

Background

Safe and Strong, Victoria’s first

gender equality strategy, was

released in December 2016. Safe and

Strong commits to the development

of gender equality legislation

Gender Equality Act 2020

Passing of the Gender Equality Bill

The Gender Equality Bill 2019 passed

the Legislative Council on Thursday 20

February 2020.

Obligations under the Act will

commence 31 March 2021

Gender Equality Act 2020

Purposes of the Gender Equality Act 2020The require entities covered by the Act to:• Take positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality• Promote gender equality in their polices, programs and services• Establish the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner

Gender Equality Act 2020Defined entities include:

• Public service bodies – ie Victorian Government Departments

• Public entities eg public hospitals, TAFEs, water authorities

• Special bodies – eg Victoria Police

• Local councils

• Court Services Victoria

• Public universities

• Court Service Victoria

• Office of Public Prosecutions

With 50 or more employees.

Gender Equality Act 2020

Objectives: • Promote, encourage and facilitate the achievement of gender equality and improvement in the status of women

• Support the identification and elimination of systemic causes of gender equality in policy, programs and delivery of services in workplaces and communities

• Recognise that gender inequality may be compounded by other forms of disadvantage or discrimination eg on basis of Aboriginality, age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and other attributes

• Redress disadvantage, address stigma, stereotyping, prejudice and violence and accommodate persons of different genders by way of structural change

• Enhance economic and social participation by persons of different genders

• Further promote the right to equality set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Gender Equality Act 2020

Gender equality principles

1. All Victorians should live in a safe and equal society, have access to equal power, resources and opportunities and be treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

2. Gender equality benefits all Victorians regardless of gender. 3. Gender equality is a human right and precondition to social justice. 4. Gender equality brings significant economic, social and health benefits for Victoria. 5. Gender equality is a precondition for the prevention of family violence and other

forms of violence against women and girls.

Gender Equality Act 2020

6. Advancing gender equality is a shared responsibility across the Victorian community.

7. All human beings, regardless of gender, should be free to develop their personal abilities, pursue their professional careers and make choices about their lives without being limited by gender stereotypes, gender roles or prejudices.

8. Gender inequality may be compounded by other forms of disadvantage or discrimination that a person may experience on the basis of Aboriginality, age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and other attributes.

9. Women have historically experienced discrimination and disadvantage on the basis of sex and gender.

10. Special measures may be necessary to achieve gender equality.

Gender Equality Act 2020

The GE Act sets out specific requirements that include:

–Develop gender equality action plans every 4 yrs– Include results of a workplace gender audit and strategies for

improving workplace gender equality

– Align with GE principles

– Allocate adequate resources to developing and implementing

the plan

Gender Equality Act 2020

The GE Act sets out specific requirements that include:

–Report on gender equality plans every 2 yrs– Include progress towards targets and other gender equality

workforce indicators

–Promote gender equality in the community– Undertake gender impact assessment of policies, programs

and services, that will have a direct and significant impact on

communities

Gender Equality Act 2020

The GE Act requires the Minister to develop a State Gender Equality Plan.

The State GE Plan will:• be developed every four years, and tabled in parlianment• provide 2 yrly progress reports• set our a framework for coordinated action in Vic to buld

attitudinal, behavioural, structural and normative change,• be developed with regard to the principles • must cover workplace gender equality and GE in public sector

policies, program and services

Gender Equality Act 2020

The GE Act establishes the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner.

The Commissioner will:• promote and advance the objectives of the Act• collaborate with, support and provide advice to organisations

to improve gender equality/comply with the Act• establish and undertake information and education programs

to encourage best practice and facilitate compliance• receive GE plans and monitor progress• use compliance and enforcement measures if necessary

Why is the Act important?

Why is the Act important

Why is the Act important?

(Our Watch 2015)

Legislation that imposes positive duties on public authorities

and other sectors to promote gender equality is a feature in

most countries that lead in the World Economic Forum

(WEF) Gender Equality Rankings.

Why is the Act important?

What does it mean for government procurement?

ProcurementImpacts on DHHS and other state government departments

Social procurement framework will be updated to align with the Act

What does it mean for all covered by the Act?

Gender Equality Plans• Whole of organisational change • Audits • Plan development & evaluation• Training & support

What does it mean for all covered by the Act?

Gender Impact Assessments

Everything is gendered!!

What supports and resources are available?

Gender Equality PlansWhat supports and resources already exist?

A range of resources and supports already exist! More are being developed.

Kristine Olaris

p: (03) 9851 3700 or 0407445255

a: 125 George Street, Doncaster East VIC 3109

e: kolaris@whe.org.au

w: www.whe.org.au

WOMEN’S HEALTH EAST