Women’s Policy
Combating gender inequity in the 21st Century
The NSW Liberals & Nationals government is committed to tackling gender inequity in our state. Our objectives are twofold;
- To ensure women are achieving wage parity in our workforce.
- To support women escaping domestic violence.
Women working in trades
Women in NSW who work full time continue to earn significantly less than their male counterparts. Reform is needed in our workforce and it will require innovative approaches to addressing this imbalance. Gender segregation in our workforce perpetuates inequality and allows for discrimination to continue in the 21st century.
Women are barely represented in trades and the construction industry. Women comprise of only 1% of the electricians, telecommunications workers, motor mechanics, panel beaters, plumbers and carpenters. In contrast women are dominant in three key areas; sales workers, administration and community and personal service workers.
Through the office for women’s policy we will be working with TAFE NSW and industry to reduce barriers to entry and increase the number of women working in trades which are dominated by men.
Victims of domestic violence
Women continue to be disproportionally represented in domestic violence victims statistics. This government is committed to providing both prevention and support services.
We are increasing support to crucial services and providing the necessary support to help women remain in their home and remove the sources of violence and abuse. This will be achieved through increased funding to the Start Safely program, the Domestic violence Line, the Domestic Violence Proactive Support Service, and the Staying Home Leaving Violence program.
Programs and reform
Through the Office for Women’s Policy the Liberals & Nationals Government has established a Bureau of Women’s statistics. This is an important initiative which will provide policy makers and the public with information on women’s employment, health, education and domestic violence.
In addition we will provide the first ever annual report on the status of women in NSW. This information will allow for the development of evidence based policy and advocacy for the equality of women in NSW.