Read about our recent campaigns, project reports and submissions to the Australian Government and the United Nations:

Election 2010: What's in it for women?

How well do the policies of the Australian Labor Party, the Coalition and the Greens meet the needs of women in Australia?

In the lead up to the 2010 federal election, Equality Rights Alliance produced Election 2010: What’s in it for women? - an examination of the policy positions and statements of the ALP, the Coalition and the Greens against areas of need for women.

» Download a copy of Election 2010: What’s in it for women?

» Download a copy of our accompanying Media Release

ERA 2010 Federal Election Platform

In the lead up to the 2010 federal election, we called for the delivery of policies for gender equality including:

  • Real progress towards reducing the gender wage gap.
  • A National  Women’s Health Policy that properly funds primary prevention and health promotion.
  • Changes to superannuation to ensure a better retirement for low income earners.
  • A stronger Sex Discrimination Act.
  • Education and training for women at different stages of their life.
  • Full funding of a National Plan of Action to Reduce Violence Against Women.
  • Equality in leadership with more women on boards.

We produced 15 information sheets on topics as diverse as pay equity, women’s leadership, health, women in the green economy and out of school hours care.

» Find out about our election information sheets 

Parents' voices

A film about parents' experiences with childcare

In 2009 WomenSpeak Coordinator Ivana Durcinoska interviewed parents about their experiences with Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) and vacation care.

Access to care for children is an important factor that influences women's participation in the workforce. But when parents are unable to find or afford care for their children, women face unenviable decisions, and a juggling act that is hard to maintain.

This film brings you their stories.

Women and the recession consultations

What impact has the global financial crisis had on women in Australia?

WomenSpeak together with the National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) are supporting state-based consultations on ‘Women in the Recession’ to identify the regional issues and policy changes needed to address women's concerns.

The consultations have highlighted the lived experiences of women in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Consultations took place in Adelaide, Broken Hill, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and three NSW shires.

» Find out more

WomenSpeak submissions

WomenSpeak produces policy submissions to the Australian Government about issues affecting women.

Recently, WomenSpeak has made submissions about women's human rights, health, tax, pay equity and workforce participation for women, pensions and Australian sex discriminations laws.

» Find out more 

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) takes place in March each year at the UN's headquarters in New York.

The CSW is the highest policy making body on women at the UN. It is also the largest meeting for women at the UN with over 5000 participants.

WomenSpeak provides submissions on the themes of the CSW to Australian Governemnt delegations attending the Commission.

» Find out more 

NGO Shadow report to CEDAW

WomenSpeak members contributed to the 2009 complementary NGO CEDAW Report or the ‘CEDAW Shadow Report’

CEDAW is the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discriminations Against Women.

Find out more about CEDAW and the 2009 CEDAW NGO Shadow report

Key issues community consultations

WomenSpeak consults with the community about key issues affecting women

WomenSpeak has undertaken a number of community consultations. From small focus groups, to large Town Hall style gatherings, WomenSpeak has spoken with and listened to women share their experiences and stories.

Here are our key issues consultation reports:

WomenSpeak Key Issues Consultation Report, Standing in Solidarity with Aboriginal Women November 2008

WomenSpeak Key Issues Consultation Report, Women’s Leadership May 2007

WomenSpeak Key Issues Consultation Report, Child care in Australia, November 2006

WomenSpeak Key Issues Consultation Report June 2006

» Find out more

WomenSpeak supported projects

WomenSpeak supports members to develop projects in line with the priorities of the network.

This project support can be financial support from WomenSpeak or in-kind support where the WomenSpeak secretariat and member organisations collaborate to support each other’s work.

» Find out more