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Queensland Women's Strategy

Why we need gender equality

Gender inequality persists in our community despite the positive changes made to women’s status and roles over the past century. This restricts women’s ability to participate fully in the social, economic and cultural opportunities that Queensland offers.

  • The gender pay gap in Queensland is unacceptably high at about 15.8%.
  • Women are vastly under-represented in leadership positions, particularly on boards of management.
  • Women are more likely to work in a narrow range of lower paying occupations, and continue to be under-represented within traditionally male-dominated industries.
  • Women take primary responsibility for unpaid domestic work and caring for dependants.
  • Women are vastly over-represented as victims of sexual offences, stalking and domestic and family violence.

A society that is gender equal promotes and protects women’s rights, interests and wellbeing and ensures women’s maximum participation in all aspects of society, which in turn leads to better social and economic outcomes for all. Everyone has a role to play to achieve gender equality.

Watch the following video to view key statistics for Queensland women and men that highlight the need for our continued investment in women for our better future.

Our strategy

The Queensland Women's Strategy 2016-21 (PDF, 3.4 MB) Queensland Women's Strategy 2016-21 (DOC, 152 KB) provides a framework for government, the private sector and the wider Queensland community to take significant action to achieve gender equality in Queensland. Based on the best available evidence it also reflects the views of a wide range of community members, and representatives from the non-government, government and private sectors.

Vision

The Queensland community respects women, embraces gender equality, and promotes and protects the rights, interests and wellbeing of women and girls.

Principles

  • Queenslanders value diversity, equality and social inclusion.
  • The Queensland economy is strongest, and everyone benefits, when women fully participate and contribute.
  • Everyone has a role to play in achieving gender equality.
  • All women and girls have the right to choice, safety and to live without fear.
  • Every woman is different and valued for her uniqueness.

Consultation findings

We conducted extensive statewide consultation seeking the community’s views on a range of issues important to Queensland women and girls, including how to address the barriers and challenges to achieving gender equality in Queensland.

We received input, mostly from women, about their views on gender equality through an InstaBooth at Central Station in Brisbane (in partnership with QUT), an online survey and via social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

More than 90% of Queenslanders surveyed said gender equality was important. They highlighted the following issues as being the most important to achieving gender equality:

  • domestic and family violence
  • sexual assault
  • women in leadership
  • the gender pay gap
  • work-related issues such as flexibility and work-life balance.

Around 90% of survey respondents also noted that a gender balance in leadership was important and that women were more likely than men to experience barriers in participating in the workforce, particularly due to unpaid caring and domestic responsibilities.

Contact

If you have any questions about the strategy, please email the Office for Women or free-call 1800 177 577 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

Add your initiative

If you are involved in delivering an initiative to support gender equality in Queensland, it could be profiled in the Community Implementation Plan.

Add your initiative now.