The Gender Equality Act 2020 reflects the views and experiences of the Victorian community.
The 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence showed that Victoria needs to address gender inequality in order to reduce family violence and all forms of violence against women.
In response, Victoria’s first gender equality strategy, Safe and Strong, was released in December 2016. As part of Safe and Strong, the government committed to legislative change to promote gender equality.
The Act is the result of extensive public and stakeholder consultation. This included:
- public consultation on the Gender Equality Bill with 56 submissions and 700 responses through Engage Victoria
- 10 face-to-face stakeholder workshops and additional targeted consultations
- a Citizen’s Jury.
The feedback received through this process was very positive. Stakeholders viewed the Bill as a once in a generation opportunity to influence policy, culture and attitudes across Victoria.
Once the Act passed through Parliament in February 2020 the Department of Premier and Cabinet began work on implementation and established the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector.
About the Gender Equality Act 2020
The Gender Equality Act 2020 will improve workplace gender equality in the Victorian public sector, universities and local councils.
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