Annual Report 2023
A Message from our Board Chair
2023 has been a year of both immense challenges and notable progress in our mission to advance gender equality and empower women and girls. As crises continue to impact women disproportionately, the work of UN Women Australia has never been more critical. Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, partners, sponsors, and volunteers, we have achieved meaningful change under difficult circumstances.
This year, our collective impact is clear. In Ukraine, UN Women has helped displaced women rebuild their lives and careers, while in Sri Lanka, we’ve equipped women entrepreneurs with the skills and resources to thrive amid crises. Across 78 countries, our efforts have supported 2.8 billion women and girls through stronger legal protections and provided essential services to over 9.5 million women, including survivors of violence.
While we celebrate these achievements, we know the journey toward gender equality is ongoing. The challenges ahead are great, but so is our commitment. Your support remains the foundation of our success, and together, we’re building a future where every woman and girl can live free and thrive.
On behalf of the UN Women Australia Board, thank you for your dedication. Together, we’re making a real difference, and we look forward to achieving even more in the future.
– Georgina Williams, UN Women Australia Board Chair
A Message from our CEO
Reflecting on 2023, I am immensely proud of our collective achievements across Australia. We’ve mobilised communities, engaged leaders, and strengthened support for gender equality. Our International Women’s Day events united thousands, raising essential funds and amplifying influential voices for transformative change.
Our dedicated volunteer Chapters have organised inspiring initiatives nationwide, from community dinners to panel discussions, expanding UN Women Australia’s impact. Through campaigns like Safe. Everywhere. Always., we’ve engaged the public, policymakers, and the private sector to inspire meaningful change.
Through impactful campaigns like Safe. Everywhere. Always, we’ve been able to engage the public, policymakers, and the private sector to inspire meaningful change.
And we couldn’t do it alone. We give thanks to all our amazing partners who support the work we do, from launching the Chain-FS technology pilot with Nansen that supports women and girls across Australia experiencing violence, to the longstanding support from the Australian government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to support our work here in Australia, and programs across the Region.
It is through these partnerships that we’re able to empower women in Australia and abroad with the essential skills needed to escape poverty, achieve financial independence, and build sustainable futures for themselves and their communities.
Thank you for your unwavering support; with you by our side, we are driving meaningful change, community by community.
– Simone Clarke, UN Women Australia CEO
Our Impact
With the invaluable support of our donors, partners, staff, and volunteers, we have worked tirelessly to protect and promote the rights of women and girls everywhere.
10,057 people gave generously to support women and girls
$1,194,237 was raised for UN Women’s programs around the globe
Globally, UN Women has been working closely with government, civil society, private sector and United Nations partners to increase its global reach. Since the start of the Strategic Plan 2022 – 2025, UN Women has achieved the following results.
2.8 billion women and girls in 78 countries now have a more supportive legislative and policy environment.
>9.5 million women including survivors of violence and internally displaced women and refugees, accessed information, goods, resources and/or services through UN Women supported platforms.
13,600 partner organisations in 92 countries have increased capacities to safeguard women’s rights, including delivering quality goods, services, and resources for women in humanitarian and development settings.
248 laws across 39 countries, home to 1.4 billion women and girls, were adopted, revised or repealed with UN Women’s support.
15 countries have adopted comprehensive, coordinated strategies for preventing violence against women, with dedicated focus on transforming inequitable gender norms.
60 countries have strengthened protocols, guidelines and initiatives to prevent and respond to violence against women.
75 initiatives in 25 countries were developed and implemented to prevent, monitor and mitigate violence against women in politics and public life.
>6,600 organisations across 87 countries have enhanced capacities to deliver and/or monitor essential services, goods and resources for women and girls in humanitarian and development settings.
Visit UN Women’s Transparency Portal to learn more about where and how UN Women is making a difference around the globe.
End Violence against Women and Girls Globally
UN Women Australia is proud to have contributed $72,242 to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which actively supported the implementation of 191 bold, life-changing initiatives aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in 68 countries and territories. These initiatives reached more than 15 million people, including at least 7,723,854 women and girls.
Our Impact in Action
Providing Economic Opportunities for Displaced Women
Nina Cherlenuk, one of 7 million Ukrainians internally displaced by the war, faced the daunting task of rebuilding her career after her home was destroyed by a missile. A radiology graduate, Nina initially considered leaving Ukraine but found the process of validating her diploma abroad too lengthy. Instead, she discovered Будь/BE, a platform that helps displaced Ukrainian women find jobs in IT and creative industries. Through mentorship and guidance from experts, Nina regained her confidence and secured a remote job as a data researcher in an IT company. The platform, developed under the EU 4 Gender Equality program with UN Women, UNFPA, and INSCIENCE, has supported around 500 women like Nina, providing essential career and financial support to displaced women in Ukraine.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
After her husband’s passing, Ramesh Anusha worked in a garment factory in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to settle his debts before returning home to open a grocery store with the help of her mother and a loan. Despite struggling to manage her business while caring for her family and facing economic challenges like fuel shortages and power cuts, Anusha remained hopeful. In September 2022, she completed business training through a UN Women project supported by the Australian Government, which empowered over 90 women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The training provided her with valuable skills and equipment, enabling her to improve her shop and inspire other women entrepreneurs while securing a better future for her children.
Ending Violence against Women and Girls
In Guatemala, where femicide rates are high and justice remains elusive, Indigenous women and girls in rural areas face increased vulnerability due to limited resources and harmful societal attitudes. The Women’s Justice Initiative (WJI), supported by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, is making significant strides through legal literacy courses, empowering women and girls to understand their rights, seek support, and access justice, thus reducing impunity for perpetrators. WJI also conducts legal clinics, mobile outreach consultations, and monthly visits to rural communities, and has trained over 40 community advocates to support survivors and lead educational efforts. As a result, 80% of women participants report feeling safer and more in control of their lives.
Responding to the Urgent Needs of Women in Emergencies
Earthquake Relief in Türkiye and Syria
In the wake of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria, UN Women, along with our partners, worked to secure and deliver life-saving essential items to support women, girls and their families. Items included winter clothes such as coats, sweaters, gloves, tents, sleeping bags, food items including baby food and personal cleanliness and hygiene items such as sanitary pads, suds, and soaps.
Thanks to the incredible support of UN Women Australia donors, $103,265 was raised to support UN Women’s response on the ground in Türkiye and Syria.
Humanitarian Response in Myanmar
Dedicated UN Women Australia supporters helped raise $23,142 to support the humanitarian response in Myanmar following the destruction caused by Cyclone Mocha.
UN Women worked on the ground in Rakhine state, responding to the specific needs of women and girls, including women with disabilities. Working closely with partners to distribute urgently needed items including food, water supplies, clothing, and hygiene kits as well as providing cash transfers to the most vulnerable women who need financial assistance.
UN Women also worked to provide women and girls access essential services such as legal aid and counselling to help protect and empower them in the face of violence.
Earthquake Recovery Efforts in Afghanistan
UN Women was on the ground in Afghanistan working to provide food, clothing, medicine, and shelter to those impacted by the devastating earthquakes that destroyed more than 3,330 homes in Herat province.
Thanks to our passionate supporters, UN Women Australia raised $24,572 to support relief efforts and ensure the unique needs of women and girls in Afghanistan were not ignored or forgotten.
Accelerating Gender Equality
Engaging the Australian Government
The Australian Government is a long-time and valued partner of UN Women. We work together to support programs which protect and promote the human rights of women and girls in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, advancing women’s economic empowerment and leadership, tackling sexual and gender-based violence, improving access to education, upholding sexual and reproductive health and rights, and implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Australia is one of UN Women’s top 10 government donors globally, supporting its programs since it was established in 2010.
UN Women Australia is responsible for raising funds to advance UN Women’s agenda worldwide, with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
The Australian Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs have proudly partnered with UN Women Australia for more than a decade to deliver International Women’s Day events across Australia.
Partnership in Action
Australia and UN Women support the use of innovation and technology in ways that promote gender equality, inclusion and the human rights, health, and security of all women and girls and persons of diverse gender identities.
Australia funds UN Women’s global flagship program on better gender statistics, ‘Making Every Woman and Girl Count.’ Working with partner governments, international agencies and other actions, Women Count assists governments to collect, analyse and use good gender data, including to monitor progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
To meet the increasing need and demand for data, Australia also funded UN Women to implement ‘Building Back Better: Promoting a gender data-driven response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.’ This initiative supported countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asia in their efforts to address the impacts of the pandemic and ensure their responses were data driven and improved the lives of women and girls.
Australia also collaborates with UN Women to promote the Women’s Empowerment Principles in Southeast Asia. Over 5,700 companies globally have committed to the Principles, which provide a roadmap for businesses to be gender-responsive throughout their value chains.
Partners and Sponsors
Government Partner: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
As part of our long-standing partnership, DFAT joined UN Women Australia in marking International Women’s Day 2023 and celebrating innovation and technology for gender equality through the theme ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future”. With the rights of women and girls being priorities for Australia, DFAT supports socially inclusive and gender-responsive action in all areas. They are proud to partner with UN Women on the flagship ‘Women’s Resilience to Disasters’ program in the Pacific.
In 2023, we were pleased to welcome Minister for Women, the Hon. Senator Katy Gallagher, as a national speaker at our IWD events.
University of Sydney Business School
The University of Sydney Business School offers fully funded MBA and Global Executive MBA Scholarships to support women, aiming to enhance their knowledge and leadership skills, promote women’s rights, recognise exceptional leadership, and foster equal opportunities. As a committed partner, the University of Sydney Business School served as the NSW Education Sponsor for International Women’s Day 2023 and facilitated four student internships with UN Women Australia.
Queensland University of Technology Business School
With the support of UN Women Australia, QUT offers a Women in Leadership Excellence scholarship for the EMBA program, to encourage diversity and promote gender equality and women in leadership roles. The scholarship is valued at more than $70,000.
As the Queensland and ACT Education Sponsor of International Women’s Day 2023, QUT facilitated a public lecture on women’s economic empowerment, exploring the issues facing women in Australia’s economy, the importance of gender equality for economic growth, and the steps needed for real change.
i=Change
Our lead cause marketing partner, i=Change, provides a seamless and impactful method for businesses and consumers to contribute through their e-commerce platforms. In 2023, more than 50 businesses and their customers opted to donate to UN Women Australia’s programs addressing violence against women and providing support during disasters. i=Change collaborates closely with UN Women Australia to assist brands in fulfilling their sustainability and social impact objectives. In mid-2023, to shed light on the pressing issues faced by women in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, Jeremy Meltzer embarked on an expedition with UN Women, aiming to enhance funding for crucial programs.
Women in Leadership Summit
The Women in Leadership Summit brought together over 1,048 emerging and established leaders to gain inspiration, connect with like-minded professionals, and share their lived experiences. The series featured an incredible line-up of speakers, including Simone Clarke, Annabel Crabb, Leigh Sales AM, Jelena Dokic, Sandra Martínez, Lil Gordon, Tahlia-Rose Vanissum, Mimi Lee, Hon Helen Clark, Majella Knobel, Dr Catherine Ball, Hon Kristina Keneally, Hon Mary Wooldridge, Dr Anna Cody, Chiou See Anderson, Dr Jeni Wellington, Kate Roffey AM, and Michelle Cowan. Proceeds from the event were donated to UN Women Australia, with a total of over $68,000 raised to support women and girls around the globe.
Nansen
In November, UN Women Australia launched a partnership with the team at Nansen, a leading Australian company specialising in digital forensics and technology services. Nansen developed Chain-FS, world first technology to protect the personal information and critical documentation of victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The six-month pilot is working with seven Domestic Violence support agencies in NSW and Victoria, using Chain-FS to protect the crucial information and evidence of abuse of women when leaving domestic violence relationships. The partnership was launched with bi-partisan support at Parliament House, Sydney.
With thanks to our 2023 Partners and Sponsors
We extend our sincere thanks to all our partners and sponsors for their generous contributions of time, talent, and resources over the past year. Your support is vital in helping us champion gender equality.
Financial Reports
More details can be found on the ACNC website.
Thank You
We extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated monthly supporters, campaign donors, partners, sponsors, Board members, volunteers, interns, and the staff of UN Women Australia. By working together, we can realise UN Women’s mission of achieving gender equality and empowering women worldwide. Thank you for your support.
