The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has developed a five-year strategy supporting the Government’s commitment to help women and girls succeed.
The Queensland Women’s Strategy 2022-27 acknowledges the significant work still required to achieve gender equality in Queensland.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said while she was proud of the achievements of the past five years “there has been a growing chorus of voices demanding safer, respectful and equitable communities, workplaces and environments”.
“There’s also been greater recognition that more work needs to be done to deliver the deep cultural, systemic and institutional changes needed to address the economic and social inequalities faced by women and girls,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This new Strategy provides a framework for this work to take place over the next five years,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said the framework included commitments such as supporting women and girls to take up a career in male-dominated industries; developing a dedicated Women’s Health Strategy; and a focus on breaking down barriers for First Nations women.
“This new Strategy is for all Queenslanders — Governments, businesses, individuals and communities — because achieving gender equality benefits everyone,” she said.
Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Shannon Fentiman said the Strategy outlined five key impact areas, with economic security identified as the first and overarching priority.
“A lack of economic security and financial independence amplifies every other barrier that prevents women from achieving equality,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Lower pay in female-dominated industries, the gender pay gap, workplace segregation and gendered stereotypes all contribute to this imbalance — and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem,” she said.
The Minister said women’s safety and wellbeing was also a key impact area in the Strategy and remained an issue of concern for the community.
“Other areas of focus include elevating First Nations Women and improving outcomes in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, supporting women from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to supporting and empowering women into a wide range of leadership roles,” Ms Fentiman said.
The Department’s 20-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
