Annual Report 2024
A Message from our Board Chair
2024 has been a year of continued progress and deep reflection as we work to advance gender equality and support women and girls globally. As I enter my final year as Chair of UN Women Australia, I am proud of what we’ve achieved together and inspired by the momentum we’ve built.
This year, our global impact has grown. Across 83 countries, UN Women programs supported 2.9 billion women and girls, and delivered essential services to over 2.3 million women and girls in crisis areas. These outcomes are a testament to the power of collective action.
None of this would be possible without the generosity and commitment of our donors, partners, sponsors, staff and volunteers. Your support continues to be the foundation of our success and the driving force behind our ability to lead global efforts from Australia.
While challenges remain, so too does our determination. Together, we are proving what’s possible when we unite for change.
On behalf of the UN Women Australia Board, thank you for your dedication. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished and look forward to what we can achieve next.
Georgina Williams
Board Chair
UN Women Australia
A Message from our CEO
As we reflect on 2024, I’m proud of how UN Women Australia has continued to grow its impact – locally and globally – through bold initiatives and strong partnerships.
This year, International Women’s Day evolved into International Women’s Month, amplifying our reach and deepening engagement across communities. Our Safe. Everywhere. Always. campaign built on its first-year success, engaging even more Australians, and raising over $260,000 for the UN Trust Fund to support programs that work to end violence and women and girls.
This work is only possible because of the collective effort behind it.
Our volunteer Chapters have played a vital role once again, organising events, sparking important conversations, and mobilising communities around the country. Their commitment and energy are helping to drive real change.
Our work is also made possible through the strength of our partnerships. In 2024, we proudly launched a new partnership with Marriott International ANZP, whose commitment to gender equality closely aligns with our mission. We also continued to work with the Australian Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to drive progress for women and girls across Australia and the Pacific. We are deeply grateful to all our partners and sponsors for their continued support, which helps us expand our reach, scale our impact, and deliver life-changing programs for women and girls.
Lastly, to our generous donors – thank you. Whether through one-off gifts or regular monthly contributions, your support empowers us to create lasting change.
Together, we are building a brighter, safer, and more equal future for all women and girls.
Simone Clarke
CEO
UN Women Australia
Delivering for 4 Billion Women and Girls
Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our donors, partners, staff, and volunteers, UN Women Australia continues to drive transformative change for women and girls around the world. In 2024, an inspiring 8,937 individuals generously donated to support our mission, helping us raise $706,650 in vital funds. These donations directly supported UN Women programs globally – advancing gender equality, empowering women economically, and meeting the urgent needs of women and girls in crisis.
Together, we are creating a more just and inclusive world for all.
A Year of Impact
In 2024, UN Women reached new milestones in its mission to empower women and girls. From legal reforms to life-saving aid, each achievement reflects resilience, progress, and the unwavering hope for a more equal future.
With the steadfast support of our donors, and through close collaboration with governments, civil society, and other United Nations agencies, UN Women has continued to deliver impact through its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, driving meaningful change across communities, institutions, and systems.
2.9 Billion
women and girls in 83 countries now live under stronger legal protections, creating pathways to justice, safety, and equality.
16,600 organisations
in 95 countries strengthened their capacity to serve women and girls – from grassroots women’s shelters to national advocacy networks.
USD 219.6 million
invested in women-led civil society, empowering local leaders to drive change from the ground up.
265.7 million
more women and girls included in peace and security frameworks since 2021.
2.3 million
women and girls received life-saving assistance in times of crisis.
104 countries
expanded essential services for survivors of violence, offering protection, dignity, and hope.
Visit UN Women’s Transparency Portal to learn more about where and how UN Women is making a difference around the globe.
Our Impact in Action
Behind every data point lies a story of resilience, leadership, and transformation. In everything we do, we amplify the voices and strengths of women and girls to break barriers and realise rights.
Accelerating Gender Equality
Partners Working Together For All Women and Girls
Australia and UN Women: Working together to advance gender equality globally
Australia and UN Women share a commitment to women’s and girls’ and persons of diverse gender identities empowerment, including through access to education, training and financial literacy and opportunities to develop skills to gain financial independence that supports a sustainable future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Women are more likely than men to be in vulnerable work, and primarily responsible for most of the unpaid care and domestic work, with lower average earnings than men. In the Pacific, UN Women’s Markets for Change project, principally funded by the Australian Government as part of the Pacific Women Lead program, strengthens the economic role of women in their families and communities. The project contributes to poverty reduction and provides a platform for women to participate in decision-making processes that directly impact their lives, while also reducing the risk of violence against women market vendors.
Despite progress, women in the Pacific still contend with persistent inequalities, ranging from limited economic opportunities, restricted ability to exercise sexual and reproductive health rights, to high rates of physical and sexual violence. Addressing these challenges, the Pacific Partnership to End Violence Against Women and Girls involves Australia under the Pacific Women Lead program and UN Women working together to promote gender-equitable social norms at the individual and community levels to prevent violence against women and girls and ensure survivors have access to quality response services.
Gender-based violence has a devastating impact on individuals, communities and society as a whole. Australia is supporting UN Women to deliver gender-based violence programs in Asia and the Pacific, including the Essential Services Package and Prevention Frameworks and Initiatives to ensure services are available for violence survivors and to stop violence before it starts.
This comprehensive approach integrates strategies on women’s economic empowerment, social protection, and ending gender-based violence programs. Australia’s contributions to UN Women play a pivotal role in addressing emerging priorities in the challenging global landscape, fostering peace, and advocating for the human rights of women and girls worldwide.
The Australian Government is a long-time and valued partner of UN Women, supporting UN Women programs since it was established in 2010.
Government Partner: Department of Foreign Affairs
The Australian Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have proudly partnered with UN Women Australia for more than a decade to deliver International Women’s Day events across Australia. We were pleased to welcome Australia’s Minister for Women, the Hon. Senator Katy Gallagher, as a national speaker at our IWD 2024 events.
University of Sydney Business School
UN Women Australia is proud to partner with the University of Sydney Business School to support women’s leadership through fully funded MBA and Global Executive Scholarships. These scholarships are designed to empower women by enhancing their knowledge, strengthening their leadership capabilities, and promoting equal access to opportunity.
In 2024, we were delighted to award the UN Women Australia MBA Scholarship to Chantal Mousad. A Syrian refugee, Chantal’s inspiring journey to Australia has shared her unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her leadership exemplifies the transformative impact of education and the importance of inclusive representation in business and society.
As a dedicated partner, the University of Sydney Business School also served as the NSW Education Sponsor for International Women’s Day 2024. The Business School also facilitated 3 with UN Women Australia, providing future leaders with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the advancement of women’s rights.
Queensland University of Technology Business School
UN Women Australia continues its valued partnership with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Business School to expand access to higher education for women leaders. This ongoing collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing gender equality by unlocking opportunities for women to lead and thrive across all sectors of society.
Through this partnership, a dedicated scholarship supports women with senior or executive-level leadership experience who are seeking to further develop their leadership capabilities. Offering a 50% tuition fee waiver for QUT’s Executive MBA program, the scholarship empowers accomplished women to amplify their impact within their organisations, industries and communities.
In addition, the partnership promoted broader learning through the annual public lecture, sharing research insights and profiling women leaders.
By investing in women’s education and leadership, this initiative exemplifies how enduring partnerships can drive meaningful progress toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
Women in Leadership Summit
The Women Leaders Institute hosted the 10th Annual Women in Leadership Summit in support of UN Women Australia, bringing together over 1,230 emerging and established leaders from a wide range of industries. This milestone event offered a rich program of keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and networking session, all designed to provide practical tools and insights to help accelerate women’s leadership journeys.
Participants had the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, share lived experiences, and gain valuable inspiration to lead with confidence. A portion of ticket sales, along with proceeds from a dedicated raffle draw, were donated to UN Women Australia. In total, was raised to support our global efforts to advance the rights and opportunities of women and girls.
Marriott International ANZP
In 2024, UN Women Australia proudly launched a two-year partnership with Marriott International ANZP, marking a significant step forward in our shared commitment to gender equality. As our official hotel partner, Marriott aims to raise $120,000 by 2026 in support of the UN Women’s Markets for Change (M4C) project, which empowers women market vendors across the Pacific. M4C is implemented by UN Women Fiji MCO in partnership with UNDP and the Government of Australia.
Marriott employees are actively engaging in this mission through fundraising activities, providing capacity building training to market vendors, and awareness events. The partnership was officially launched during Marriott’s “Road to Give” campaign in October, with over 60 hotels participating in events that highlighted the transformative impact of the M4C initiative.
A standout celebration took place in Fiji, where 200 Marriott team members and guests joined UN Women Australia, UN Women Fiji MCO, and the Namaka Market Vendors’ Association to mark the occasion.
Through these events the partnership has already raised an impressive $43,000, and provided valuable in-kind support. We extend our sincere thanks to Marriott for their generous support and dedication to creating lasting change.
With thanks to our 2024 Partners and Sponsors
We are deeply grateful to our partners and sponsors for their unwavering generosity and commitment over the past year. Your invaluable contributions of time, expertise, and resources have been instrumental in advancing our mission to achieve gender equality. Together, we are creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Financials
Thank You
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated monthly supporters, campaign donors, partners, sponsors, Board members, volunteers, interns, and the incredible staff of UN Women Australia. Your collective commitment and collaboration are the driving force behind our progress.
Together, we are turning the vision of gender equality and women’s empowerment into a global reality.
Thank you for standing with us.
