The Department of Communities is to lead the State’s Second Action Plan, Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality.
Minister for Women’s Interests, Simone McGurk said the Action Plan would build on the commitment to create better outcomes for women and girls and achieve positive change for the entire community.
“Stronger Together is the first whole-of-Government, long-term plan to advance gender equality in Western Australia consisting of four action plans between 2020 and 2030,” Ms McGurk said.
“The launch of the Second Action Plan coincides with the release of the First Action Plan Report for Stronger Together, which details progress on 58 actions across priority areas of health and wellbeing, safety and justice, economic independence and leadership,” she said.
The Minister said in keeping with the whole-of-Government approach, actions for Stronger Together were being delivered across 16 Agencies.
“The launch of the Second Action Plan includes five focus areas to guide the work of Government across the next four years,” she said.
Ms McGurk said these were COVID-19 recovery; safety and respect at work; primary prevention; Aboriginal women’s leadership; and older women.
“More than 50 actions are included in the Second Action Plan to support women in our communities, including within workplaces, homes, education and training institutions, the justice system and the health system,” she said.
“A further 17 initiatives are being delivered to support staff and drive cultural change within the Public Sector.”
Ms McGurk said gender equality was important for all Western Australians.
“There is clear evidence that it brings economic and social benefits to everyone,” she said.
“It empowers our community to achieve a better balance between work and family responsibilities, contributing to improved wellbeing and emotional connection.
“There is no question there is still work to do — COVID-19 highlighted the existing gender inequalities in the workplace and at home and further demonstrated the need for systemic change.”
The eight-page Second Action Plan can be accessed at this PS News link and the 14-page First Action Plan Report at this link.
