Equality Rights Alliance (ERA)

YWCA Australia hosts the Equality Rights Alliance (ERA), Australia’s largest network advocating for women’s equality, leadership, and recognition of women’s diversity. ERA brings together 66 non-government organisations and social enterprises with an interest in advancing women’s equality and upholding their human rights.

ERA is one of the six National Women’s Alliances funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Office for Women. ERA’s primary focus is on advancing women’s leadership and economic security through federal government policy, adding a gender lens to existing and new policy, consulting with a diverse range of women about current and emerging issues and promoting proposals for change to the Federal Government.

ERA’s past work has included advocating for affordable housing for women, welfare reform, sexual and reproductive health and rights, women and girls in education and the consideration of government budgets through a gender lens, the development of a human rights framework in Australia and the domestic implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

ERA also plays a leading role in the sector’s engagement with CEDAW, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights and other international processes.