Page 1019 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
All of the initiatives and policies I have just outlined go to the heart of the government’s vision and agenda for gender equity that is contained in the 2010-15 ACT women’s plan that was launched three years ago. A progress report on the ACT women’s plan is due to be released shortly. It will provide evidence against the indicators of progress across the economic, social and environmental areas outlined in the women’s plan. The report will include enhanced sex disaggregated data, which will help us build a clearer picture of progress towards equity and participation for women and girls and meeting their needs, as well as informing policy formulation and implementation. I am confident the ACT government’s efforts to enhance the availability of sex disaggregated data will assist to better inform future policy and planning in the ACT and lead to better outcomes for women and girls.
Finally, I take the opportunity to speak about the importance of International Women’s Day and how we continue to celebrate its significance here in the ACT. On 8 March I honoured the ACT Women’s Service Network with a special 2013 International Women’s Day Canberra centenary tribute—a painting by local Aboriginal woman Belinda Nelson McDowell replicating the red cover of the ACT women’s plan. I am not quite sure how the multiple members of the Women’s Service Network will share one such painting, but I imagine they will have many an interesting discussion and that it will move around that network very nicely. For over 20 years the network has provided expertise and skills ensuring women’s services are delivered effectively and meet the needs of the most vulnerable women in our community.
I also hosted a cocktail function and a tour of the Women in the Making of Canberra exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery where over 130 men and women came to share a commitment to improving gender equality in our community.
International Women’s Day also provided us with an opportunity to acknowledge that a number of issues still need to be addressed. On International Women’s Day this year, respected writer and true champion of the Australian feminist movement, Anne Summers, wrote that the number one issue for women in Australia is still, sadly, violence against women. Summers said:
… of the many issues that clamour for our attention, I think on this Women’s Day we should be focusing on one that destroys or ruins the lives of so many women around the world: violence against women.
In November 2012 I hosted and participated in the inaugural partners in prevention function. Over 170 business, community and government leaders brainstormed strategies to address violence against women in our community. Building on the work of the partners in prevention function, I recently announced the inaugural violence against women prevention awards. These awards will highlight the work being done in our community to prevent violence against women and to support those who are experiencing violence. These awards will be presented this year as part of the 16 days of activism to stop violence against women commencing on 25 November.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video