Today we acknowledge International Women’s Day held throughout the world on 8 March to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
It’s also a time for us to reflect on the gains we have made toward gender equality – and recognise that major change is still required.
In 2023, Department of Communities, as the lead government agency on Women’s Interests and International Women’s Day in WA, adopted the UN Women Australia’s theme ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future’.
The theme emphasises the importance of bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education in combating discrimination and marginalisation of women around the world.
This International Women’s Day we can all play a part in Cracking the Code. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure women are open to new opportunities through innovation and growth in digital technologies.
Department of Communities has a broad range of initiatives that aim to advance gender equality. The work of its Women’s Interests team is underpinned by Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality, the first of its kind for our State.”
With that, the WA Government released today the Stronger Together Progress Report 2022 on its Second Action Plan 2021-2025, an update on the gender equality programs and actions progressed by WA Government agencies in 2022.
- Communities has made great advances in some of its key programs including:
- Gender Equality in Procurement – WA Public Sector Pilot
- Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future Program – also see the 2023 successful grant recipients recently selected
- Pilot voluntary reporting to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency
- Development of a Respect in Mining Program as part of the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program
- Implementing Respect@Work: WA State Government Progress Report 2022.
Reflecting the State Government’s commitment to breaking down these barriers and providing safe and inclusive workplaces for women, Communities has created a Women’s Workplace Safety Information and Resources Hub. It offers hyperlinks to contemporary information on women’s workplace safety including what constitutes sexual harassment, how to make a complaint, and where to go when in need of immediate assistance and support.
This year for International Women’s Day 2023, Department of Communities is featuring some Exceptional WA Women who have expertise relating to this year’s #CrackingTheCode theme. They share their stories, insights and tell us what this year’s theme "Cracking the Code – Innovation for a Gender Equal Future" means to them. They include:
- Alexis (Lexy) McDonald, Found and CEO, HerHelp
- Professor Lyn Beazley, Science Ambassador
- Susan Kreemer Pickford, General Manager WA, Engineers Australia
To view their videos and find out more about International Women’s Day visit our International Women's Day hub.
Happy International Women’s Day!
