I’ve been reflecting lately on the importance of providing strong role models for other women and girls.
And crucially, the leadership we need throughout all levels of our community in demonstrating what gender equality and respect looks like for young men and boys in the family and beyond.
This can be hard to measure, but we should never underestimate how important this kind of leadership is.
Just about everyone reading this could easily think of a strong, inspiring woman in their lives. In my case, I think of my two grandmothers – who developed my passion for politics and showed me the importance of caring for others.
My grandmother, Joan Sykes, was a true force of nature. A working mum with six kids, she was a strong unionist who knew women had just as much a right to the workplace as men.
My other grandmother, Patricia Cunningham taught me about compassion. I can still recall Nanna saying, ‘I can add another cup of water to the soup to make it go even further for those who need it’. And in that sentiment, I see another form of leadership.
For me, these lessons have proved just as valuable in life, and in leadership, as anything else I’ve learned along the way.
Unfortunately, many women who demonstrate leadership in their communities have historically gone unrecognised in society – both in public and private life.
Righting that wrong is part of our nation-leading work to promote gender equality and women’s leadership in Victoria.
We’ve enacted reform to advance the rights of women and girls in Victoria including the first Gender Equality Act, establishing the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector and achieving gender parity on government boards. And, through our Women’s Public Art Program, we are also on a journey to parity in our statues in public places too.
As the Minister for Women, I’m encouraged by the work we are doing to create a fairer state for women and girls, and always humbled by the diverse women I meet as part of my role.
It’s been just over a year since we launched Victoria’s second gender equality strategy, Our equal state. It’s our second strategy, building on Safe and Strong, launched in 2016 – the first of its kind in Australia.
Our equal state includes 110 actions designed to embed a shared responsibility for gender equality priorities right across government.
It’s designed to meaningfully address the gaps in choices and opportunities between women, men and gender diverse people from childhood to older age.
There have been a number of achievements to come out of the strategy already – such as the recent launch of Making it equal: Victoria’s women in manufacturing strategy.
Women often face a range of barriers to entering and thriving in male-dominated sectors – from inflexible working arrangements, sexism and sexual harassment to a lack of adequate facilities and equipment, and poor workplace culture.
Manufacturing in Victoria is a $33.5 billion industry that employs more than 260,000 people across almost 24,000 businesses. Yet women’s representation in Victoria’s manufacturing sector has barely increased over the past 20 years.
Our new strategy is not only a major step in creating real opportunities for women to thrive in historically male-dominated spaces, but a chance to future-proof our industry and make it more resilient to skill-shortages.
In June, we became the first government in Australia to enshrine gender-responsive budgeting in law, meaning that it is secure into the future.
Building our budget plans around the impact of policies and budgets on people of different genders puts in place mechanisms to ensure funding is allocated in ways that support equal outcomes.
This is the kind of structural work that needs to be done to make Victoria a fair and equal place for women and girls, because they deserve every opportunity to succeed.
Recently I announced this year’s inductees into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
Each year, the Honour Roll celebrates exceptional women in Victoria who have made significant and lasting contributions to the community. This year’s inductees stand beside more than 730 women inducted since the program began in 2001, the first of its kind in Australia.
This year features internationally renowned folk musician turned Federal Court judge Judy Small, Dalal Smiley for her work tirelessly to support women of migrant and refugee backgrounds in Melbourne’s south-east and Associate Professor Kudzai Kanhutu, who established a first-of-its kind telehealth service breaking down barriers for rural and culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians to access healthcare.
The Honour Roll is about making sure that women are given their share of the spotlight, and inspire future generations.
Just like my two incredible grandmothers did for me.
Feature image: Natalie Hutchins.