Advocacy in Australia

At UN Women Australia, we’re dedicated to advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment across Australia and around the world. Our mission is to raise awareness and drive action on critical issues such as gender-based violence, women’s health and wellbeing, economic empowerment, women’s representation in leadership, the gender pay gap, and the recognition of unpaid care work.

Through impactful campaigns like Safe. Everywhere. Always. and International Women’s Month, we engage the public, policymakers, and the private sector to inspire meaningful change. Collaborating with various stakeholders, we work to promote gender-responsive policies, shift cultural and behavioural norms, support research, and tackle harmful stereotypes that perpetuate inequality.

Campaigns and Events

From 25 November to 10 December, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, our #SafeEverywhereAlways campaign calls on all Australians to unite and take action to end violence against women, from challenging harmful stereotypes to advocating for systemic change.

Launched in 2021, this campaign challenges the complacency surrounding gender inequality in Australia. It sparks vital conversations on issues like the gender pay gap, underrepresentation in leadership, and gender-based violence, urging Australians to confront the reality that gender equality is still out of reach and take action. In 2024, the campaign was relaunched with a renewed focus on the alarming rise in violence against women, emphasising the urgent need for collective action to address this national crisis.

Each year, UN Women Australia leads International Women’s Month celebrations across the nation, bringing together leaders, advocates, and communities to advance gender equality. Through a series of high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and community-driven initiatives, we raise awareness, inspire action, and drive support for programs that empower women and girls in Australia and around the world.

UN Women Australia opens International Women’s Month with the annual Parliamentary Breakfast at Parliament House, co-hosted by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader. This event brings together national leaders to celebrate progress and renew commitments to gender equality, highlighting the critical role of government funding in advancing peace, prosperity, and equality regionally and globally.

Our National Event Series for International Women’s Day are among the largest celebrations of International Women’s Day in the country, attracting over 10,000 attendees to raise vital funds for UN Women’s programs that work to empower women and girls globally.

They bring together changemakers, influencers, and leaders to advocate for gender equality. Each year aligns with the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) theme, focusing on innovative solutions for achieving SDG 5 and accerating progress towards equality in Australia and beyond.

International Women’s Month is a powerful opportunity for schools and communities across Australia to champion gender equality. In partnership with DFAT, UN Women Australia provides schools with engaging resource kits filled with educational materials, activities, and fundraising ideas to inspire students and staff to get involved.

Throughout March, we also encourage individuals, groups, and businesses to host their own fundraisers—whether it’s a morning tea, a workplace lunch, or a donation drive—to unite communities and rally support for UN Women programs.

Each year, we host a delegation to the CSW at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where participants engage in global discussions on gender equality. They return with insights on best practices to drive local initiatives, ensuring global perspectives enhance efforts to achieve SDG 5 and gender equality in Australia.

Programs

UN Women Australia proudly supports the Real Futures Women’s Business Second Chance Hub, part of UN Women’s global Second Chance Education program. This initiative empowers women from First Nations communities, by providing essential training and support for developing workplace and business skills and supporting entrepreneurship. As our implementing partner in Australia, Real Futures brings invaluable expertise in community development and creates pathways for First Nations women to develop skills to achieve economic independence, fostering sustainable opportunities and breaking down barriers.

Partnerships

Our partnerships are key to advancing gender equality. By collaborating with government, businesses, organisations, and educational institutions, we create opportunities that empower women and promote inclusive practices. From fostering gender-responsive principles to pioneering tech solutions for domestic violence survivors, our collaborations unite diverse efforts toward a shared goal: a world where women thrive.

In collaboration with the Australian Government and UN Women, we promote these principles across Southeast Asia, providing businesses with a roadmap for gender-responsive practices.

In partnership with Nansen, we piloted Chain-FS, a world-first technology to protect the personal information of domestic violence survivors. Launched in 2023, this technology supports agencies in NSW and Victoria, safeguarding sensitive data and helping to gather evidence. Following the pilot, Chain-FS continues to provide survivors with access to a range of Domestic Violence agencies and support services. 

Empowering Women Leaders

UN Women Australia partner with educational institutions like the University of Sydney and QUT to offer scholarships that empower women, enhance their leadership skills, and promote gender equality. These partnerships include internships, public lectures, and support for women in leadership roles.

For over 10 years, UN Women Australia and The University of Sydney Business School have partnered to promote women’s leadership and gender equality. Through fully funded MBA and Global Executive MBA scholarships, Sydney Business School equips women in Australia with leadership skills and fosters equal opportunities.

UN Women Australia’s partnership with QUT aims to expand opportunities for women in higher education, a key lever to boost workforce participation in Australia. The Women in Leadership Excellence Scholarship, valued at over $70,000, supports aspiring women leaders by providing a full scholarship to QUT’s Executive MBA program.  

Chapters

UN Women Australia Chapters play a crucial role in supporting the work of UN Women Australia. Based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. Our dedicated volunteer Chapters are active year-round, hosting their own fundraising and advocacy initiatives to support women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Through these programs, campaigns, and partnerships, UN Women Australia is committed to a future where all women and girls have equal rights, opportunities, and safety. Together, we can drive change and accelerate progress towards a gender-equal world.