Young women face struggles that have largely gone unnoticed to Australian society. We face a system that is stacked up against us in almost every, if not all, aspects of our lives. The crises that are impacting all Australians from cost-of-living to housing affect us in unique ways and are compounded by uniquely gendered realities such as economic inequality and the national crisis of men’s violence against women.
Australia has steamrolled towards our federal election tomorrow. As a young woman who has faced housing insecurity, and is now a lawyer and advocate, my call is for this federal election to be a turning-point for Australian politics. It should not be such an immense struggle in this country for young women to have access to a home which is safe, secure and affordable. A place to call home where we can build our futures, and a starting point where we can flourish in peace.
For the first time in Australian history, the voting power of the Gen Z and Millennial voter bloc will outnumber Baby Boomers across every state and territory. Women are half of the population, and young women have an unprecedented voting strength. We are calling for change, and this federal election is the time for us to be heard.
Young women know that our seat at the table is our vote, and we will not be silent bystanders to our own futures. We are looking to the political parties and candidates most committed to addressing the challenges that we face. Tinkering around the edges will not be enough, because it has not been enough. We are looking for bold policy commitments, backed by investments which match the scale of the crises we are facing.
One of the most real and hidden challenges young women in Australia face is homelessness. In fact, three in four young women in Australia have considered the risk of homelessness for themselves. This data comes from recent polling from YWCA Australia run by Essential Research which surveyed over 1,000 young women and gender-diverse people and included a focus group of young trans and gender-diverse people.
Not only are the vast majority of young women considering their risk of becoming homeless, but more than one in three young women are currently at immediate risk of homelessness (seven per cent) or worried about becoming homeless (a further 31 pe cent). Of course, this reality makes housing a key voting issue for young women.
The polling also highlights how trans and gender-diverse people face compounded barriers to housing security. Trans and gender-diverse respondents often feel unsafe revealing their gender identity when trying to secure housing and at threat of discrimination from real estate agents when doing so. The risk of homelessness is high for trans and gender-diverse people, with almost all focus group participants having experienced housing instability.
The reality of housing insecurity and homelessness for young women, trans and gender-diverse people has not occurred at random. It exists within the context of multiple barriers which are shared by Australian young people and compounded against young women, trans and gender-diverse people.
These barriers exist both outside and within the home. At work, women are paid almost $30,000 less per year than men. Whilst our pay falls, the rental market (let alone homeownership market) skyrockets. The issue, however, is one larger than economics.
The realities within our home are much more sinister. The main reason that women become homeless in Australia is domestic and family violence. Whilst seldom discussed, this reality is overwhelming for Gen Z and Millennial women. Young women aged 25 to 34 years old are the largest group of homeless women in Australia. We are also the largest group out of any demographic accessing specialist homelessness services, predominantly due to domestic and family violence. This experience was confirmed in YWCA Australia’s polling with the vast majority of young women identifying domestic and family violence as the leading cause of women seeking homelessness support.
In a country as prosperous as Australia, why are young women, trans and gender-diverse communities facing unrelenting economic inequality, domestic and family violence, and homelessness? These are all issues that can be prevented with the right political will and commitment.
It is time for all political parties and candidates to unify on an issue that should bring us all national shame. These are not “women’s issues” to be faced in the shadows of our homes, alone. These are national crises that deserve national attention and investment to the scale of the problem.
Our polling shows that around two-thirds of young women see Australia’s housing shortage and affordability crisis as a federal government responsibility. Equal numbers would vote for a candidate that promises to address these issues. The solution for almost 9 in 10 young women voters is to increase the supply of safe, secure and affordable housing for women, gender-diverse people and their families.
This polling makes it clear. When it comes to 3 May, young women will be making our voices heard at the polling booth, and because of our voting strength, we will be heard.
A note on gender terminology: the reference to women is inclusive of cisgender and transgender women. The study had a separate focus group to the polling of women and gender-diverse people, to have a meaningful focus on the issues experienced by trans and gender-diverse young people.
Become a Women’s Agenda Foundation member and support our work! We are 100% independent and women-owned. Every day, we cover the news from a women’s perspective, advocating for women’s safety, economic security, health and opportunities. Foundation memberships are currently just $5 a month.
Bonus: you’ll receive our weekly editor’s wrap of the key stories to know every Saturday.