Australia will soon get a new ambassador for gender equality, with Stephanie Copus-Campbell to advocate for women’s health, leadership and economic empowerment, as well as an end to gender-based violence.
The position replaces the previous Ambassador for Women and Girls role, with Copus-Campbell replacing Christine Clarke CSC, who was only appointed to the position at the beginning of this year.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong made the announcement this morning, alongside a number of other roles representing Australia internationally.
She named Bronte Moules as Australia’s first Ambassador for Human Rights, declaring the appointment delivers on the Albanese Government’s commitment to make such an appointment and to “restore Australia’s commitment to human rights around the world.”
Moules is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has most recently been Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and will be tasked with working to advance rights and protections, including for people living with a disability, ethnic and religious minorities and LGBTIQ+ individuals.
“The creation of this role is part of Australia’s commitment to employ every strategy at our disposal towards upholding human rights, consistent with our values and with our interests. It will help bolster Australia’s support for the UN human rights architecture and international law,” Wong said on the announcement.
Heather Ridout also takes a significant appointment, becoming the first woman to be appointed as Australia’s Consul-General in New York.
Australia’s new gender equality ambassador Stephanie Copus-Campbell (pictured above) has a background in development and health, having spent 25 years working across Papua New Guinea, Pacific Island countries and Australia to support positive social and economic impact. She has been a previous Director of UNICEF Australia, the Harold Mitchell Foundation and Oil Search Foundation Boards. She grew up in Alaska and arrived in Australia at the age of 25, where she took a job working for the Australian Red Cross. She has previously described falling in love with PNG, where she has spent much of her career.
Wong noted her career in international relations and development across the region, including for the Government of PNG as Chair of the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority.
“She will advocate the importance of women’s human rights, ending gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, and the leadership of women and girls,” Wong said.
Copus-Campbell has previously spoken out about sexual harassment, penning a powerful opinion piece highlighting her personal experiences of losing jobs after refusing advances from men.
In the piece, she recalled experiences of harassment while babysitting, working as a journalist, and while in the public service. She recalls applying for a secondment at parliament house where she was informed that the hours wouldn’t suit a mother with young kids. “it is only recently that I have started to share these stories with others. And in doing so, I find that most women have similar experiences of their own,” she wrote in 2019.
Wong also announced a number of other ambassador roles, including Sophie Davies who will be Australia’s ambassador to Brazil, Sonya Koppe as high commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago and Phoebe Smith, as high commissioner to the Cook Islands.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd, meanwhile, has been appointed as Australia’s next Ambassador for the United States.
The announcements came as Wong was preparing to visit counterparts in China. She said she welcomes “the opportunity to continue dialogue,” and that “this will take time, but I do see this visit as another step in the road.”