In response to the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence, the Victorian Government released its first Safe and Strong Gender Equality Strategy. Through this strategy, the Victorian Government committed to legislative action to promote gender equality.
The Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic)(opens in a new window) (the Act) was developed through extensive consultation and is reflective of the Victorian community’s views and experiences. The Act is the first of its kind in Australia and is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen workplace gender equality.
The development of the plan follows the gender equality principles as required by the Act.
The Act is necessary because women experience gender inequality in multiple areas of society. For example, women disproportionately:
- experience family violence, sexual harassment and assault
- occupy lower paid, less valued and more insecure employment
- undertake the majority of domestic work even when partnered, and unpaid volunteer work.
The department’s existing strategies and initiatives
There are a range of programs and initiatives already in place that support workplace gender equality, diversity and inclusion at the department. These include the department’s VPS People Strategy 2021-24 and the Respectful Relationships initiative.
Additionally, the department promotes careers in early childhood education to people of all genders, supports the system to increase the numbers of women in trades, and provides free sanitary products in every government school in Victoria.
The department delivers programs and initiatives that form part of multiple whole of Victorian government strategies such as Free from Violence: Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence, Safe and Strong: Victoria’s gender equality strategy, the Victorian LGBTIQ+ strategy, the Victorian State Disability Plan, and many others.
Legislative framework
The overarching legislation underpinning the plan is the Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic)(opens in a new window) including the gender equality principles as set out in section 6 of the Act. The Act is closely aligned with the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)(opens in a new window), and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)(opens in a new window). Other relevant legislation can be viewed in the Inclusive Workplaces guide (DOCX)(opens in a new window).
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