This letter provides the Minister for Women with a list of specific and urgent recommendations which could significantly enhance women’s economic opportunities and address entrenched gender norms for consideration in the 2023 Federal Budget.

The Australian government has released this discussion paper in an effort to understand the Australian community’s vision for gender equality.

This report card shows the challenges women and girls in Australia face through youth and young adulthood, in careers and working life, through parenthood and families, and in later life. It looks at education, economic outcomes, health, safety and wellbeing, housing and gender norms.

In the period between 2017 and 2022, there have been significant disruptions to and changes in young workers’ experience of work and care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new economic challenges and demands for respect at work.

VicHealth aims to use the power of art to raise awareness and promote gender equality, and to celebrate women. It also wants to build capacity by bringing artists and local councils together. The program has demonstrated the effectiveness of a partnership model for promoting gender equality through the arts which allows for localised implementation.