Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon has been selected as part of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader 2024 class, a prestigious program that counts an impressive mix of global leaders across sectors in its alumni.
Professor Fitz-Gibbon, from Monash University, has been recognised for her academic and policy work in tackling violence against women and children. She is the only Australian named in the prestigious class of young global leaders for 2024.
The Forum of Young Global Leaders brings together a group of individuals under the age of 40, who are recognised for their leadership, accomplishments, and potential to contribute to shaping the future.
“Violence against women and children is perpetrated at horrific rates worldwide but this violence is preventable. I am committed to improving responses to, and the prevention of all forms of domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia and internationally,” Professor Fitz-Gibbon said about being recognised by the World Economic Forum.
“As well as striving to inform government policy and practice, improving understandings of violence against women and children among the wider community remains central to my work. Shifting community attitudes is key to early intervention and prevention.
“Everyone in the global community has a role to play in driving the change urgently needed to ultimately eliminate all forms of violence against women and children.
“I look forward to learning from and collaborating with other members of the Young Global Leaders community to help drive solutions to the urgent global challenge of violence against women and children.”
Professor Fitz-Gibbon has been a key player in driving policy reform on domestic, family and sexual violence in Australia.
For example, in 2021, she led the National Plan Consultation Project, which was contracted by the federal government to inform the development of the National Plan to end Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Her research has been cited by the High Court and received significant media attention, with Professor Fitz-Gibbon becoming a regular media commentator both in Australia and internationally.
According to Monash University, her work has been published in leading peer reviewed journals. She has published 7 books, 7 edited collections, 50 refereed journal articles and 25 book chapters.
Beyond thrilled to announce I have been selected to be part of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders 2024 class.
Excited to embark on a 3 year experience to connect with @YGLvoices peers around the world, undertake leadership training & learn how I can best contribute… pic.twitter.com/DZ1wvADeFb— Kate Fitz-Gibbon (@Kate_FitzGibbon) April 4, 2024
Speaking about this year’s list of Young Global Leaders, the head of the forum, Ida Jeng Christensen said, “They represent the future of leadership, and we are confident that their perspectives and innovative ideas will contribute significantly to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Professor Sharon Pickering, Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President, has congratulated Professor Fitz-Gibbon on her significant achievement.
“Professor Fitz-Gibbon’s outstanding academic career reflects her relentless energy and commitment to build the evidence we need to eliminate violence against women and children,” Professor Pickering said.
“Her work has bridged the gap between academia and public policy and has helped ensure we have better legal responses to intimate partner homicide across the country.”
In previous years, Australians including Sophia Hamblin-Wang and Caroline Blanch Israel have been named by the World Economic Forum in its community of Young Global Leaders.