Page 1299 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 23 March 2010
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MS BURCH: Today it is my pleasure to present the ACT women’s plan 2010-15. The ACT government has a vision for women and girls to realise their potential, be recognised for their contribution and to share in the benefits of our community. The development of a second ACT women’s plan attests to the ACT government’s ongoing commitment to value and invest in women and girls and to promote and safeguard their freedoms and rights to actively participate in all areas of Canberra life.
The ACT women’s plan 2010-15 builds on the achievements of the ACT women’s plan 2004-09 to improve the status and lives of girls and women in the ACT. The 2004-09 plan has supported the ACT government’s agencies to better meet the needs of women and girls in our community over the past five years. The 2010-15 plan will continue this work and provide a framework to address the still significant inequalities between men and women in the ACT and between different groups of women.
The women’s plan is supported by principles aligned with human rights and links to the Canberra plan, which promotes Canberra as an inclusive, creative and sustainable centre of economic growth and innovation. Together, these plans support women and girls to contribute and share in the economic, social and environmental aspects of Canberra life.
The plan acknowledges the broad range of ways in which women contribute to our community. The plan also seeks to prioritise the areas of disadvantage for women and girls in the ACT—for example, through lack of equality of employment opportunities and violence against women. It also acknowledges the important differences of women, which result in specialised services being required for women—for example, in relation to health and education. It aims to embed an understanding of the different needs of women and girls and men and boys into policies and practice as a mechanism for improving gender equity.
Despite the achievements of the previous women’s plan, gender inequities still exist in the ACT. Those inequities can result in social disadvantage, exclusion and isolation, particularly for marginalised women and girls. Women with caring responsibilities remain at greater risk of financial disadvantage through their life course. The 15.1 per cent wage gap between women and men also exacerbates that risk. It is concerning that in Australia the average superannuation payout for women is a third of the payout for men. It is also concerning that the biggest risk factor for becoming a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault is being a woman.
The ACT government will work with the community and business sectors to support equity and participation and to address the needs of women and girls across these areas. The ACT government encourages the whole ACT community to play their part in progressing gender equity and supporting women and girls achieve their aspirations to improve their lives.
The Office for Women, in partnership with the Ministerial Advisory Council on Women, consulted with a diverse group of women and girls to inform the plan, including the women in the AMC, young women, older women, women in the legal profession, young women in non-traditional trades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women with disabilities.
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