Gender equality means that everyone in Australia - no matter their gender - has the same rights and obligations. Everyone should be able to live a life free of violence and have access to the same opportunities.
Gender equality affects everyone, including men, women, boys, girls, and gender-diverse people. Achieving full gender equality in Australia would have multiple benefits for everyone, such as preventing gender-based violence, improving our economy or having stronger and healthier communities.
There are, however, gender inequalities and stereotypes that prevent us from achieving gender equality in Australia. For example, women still spend more time doing unpaid care, earn less, experience higher rates of gender-based violence and face more barriers to being present in leadership roles.
Gender-diverse people are unable to express their gender outside the traditional gender binary system and experience discrimination, stigma and exclusion.
Men and boys experience harmful stereotypes that impact their physical and emotional health. Rigid stereotypes of masculinity put pressure on men to behave in a certain way such as being tough, dominant and not expressing their emotions.
Achieving gender equality in Australia is everyone’s responsibility and will benefit everyone in the community.
The Australian Government has released Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality which sets what is necessary to achieve a gender equal Australia.
