Office for Women

The Personal Safety Survey was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 2005 to collect information from a large sample, 11,000 women and 4,500 men, about their experiences of violence.

The ABS provided a summary report that was published in 2006. The survey collected extensive data that was not reported on at that time. Data Analysis Australia was commissioned by Families, Housing and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs through Office for Women in 2007 to conduct a detailed analysis of the Personal Safety Survey Data.

Data Analysis Australia’s report focuses on several key areas including violence against women; alcohol and drug use in incidents of violence; partner violence affecting children and experiences of abuse in childhood; and reporting violence and accessing of services and support.

The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs invites suitably qualified and experienced organisations to tender for the provision of case management services for the Support for Victims of People Trafficking Program.

The Service Provider will be required to deliver professional individualised case management services for clients on the Program. The Program provides living, social and psychological support to identified victims of human trafficking who are willing and able to assist with a trafficking prosecution. The Service Provider must be able to provide case management services for the Program 24 hours, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year within all States and Territories in Australia.

The time frame for the delivery of the above services will be for 12 months commencing in September 2008, with the possibility for extension.

Tender documentation may be obtained from the AusTender website.

Tenders close at 2.00pm Canberra time on 25 July 2008.

Government Announces $2.1 Million In Grants To Boost Women’s Leadership And Advocacy

The Australian Government is committed to developing and supporting women's leadership in every aspect of Australian society.

Twenty-two national women’s non-government organisations will share in $2.1 million in grant funding as part of this year’s Women's Leadership and Development Programme (WLDP).

For full details of Grant recipients read the media release from The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP

Consultation on the Possible Accession of Australia to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Australia has been a party to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) since 1983.   The text of CEDAW is available at Australasian Legal Information Institute. Under CEDAW, Australia is obliged to ensure equality between men and women to eliminate discrimination in all areas, including work conditions, access to welfare, health care and education.  In its reports on the implementation of CEDAW, Australia has described how it implements its obligations through a range of Commonwealth and State and Territory laws and programs. 

The Australian Government is now considering whether to become a party to the Optional Protocol to CEDAW (available at Australasian Legal Information Institute).  In deciding whether or not to become a party, the Government is consulting with relevant Commonwealth Ministers, the States and Territories and the broader community. 

Should you wish to participate in this consultation, please take a moment to read the invitation to participate.  Consultations close 30 June 2008.

Member of National Council to reduce violence against women and children announced.

The Australian Government today announced the members of its National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children.

The Council will be chaired by one of the founders of the Australian White Ribbon Day campaign and international human rights advocate, Libby Lloyd AM, with support from deputy-chair, Heather Nancarrow, Director of the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research.

The nine other members of the Council are Lisa Wilkinson, Pauline Woodbridge, Vanessa Swan, Dorinda Cox, Andrew O'Keefe, Melanie Heenan, Associate Professor Moira Carmody, Maria Dimopoulos and Rachel Kayrooz.

For full details read the media release by The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Status of Women

The 2008-09 Women’s Budget Statement

The 2008-09 Women’s Budget Statement highlights measures in the Budget that will assist women and their families.

The Government values the contribution Australian women make in our workplaces, homes and communities across the country. With this Budget women will share more equally in Australia’s prosperity. 

• 2008-09 Women’s Budget Statement
• 2008-09 Women’s Budget Statement Media Release

Women Understanding Money

A new Australian Government initiative will assist women who want to better manage their money. 

Women Understanding Money fact sheets are a joint initiative of the Office for Women (in consultation with Security4Women) and the Financial Literacy Foundation.

There are 14 topics detailing real life stories that will provide women with essential and practical information on important financial issues, making the fact sheets relevant and easy to understand.  Fact sheet topics include managing on a low income, superannuation, understanding financial terms, managing money when a relationship ends and the financial considerations when starting a family.

• The Women Understanding Money fact sheets are available for free online.
• New Financial Literacy Fact Sheets for Women - Media release by The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Status of Women

11 to 14 May 2008

13th Annual Meeting of the Women Leaders’ Network, Arequipa City, Peru

The 13th Annual Meeting of the Women Leaders’ Network will take place from 12 to 14 May 2008 in Arequipa City, Peru. A number of Australian delegates are expected to attend the meeting. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Successful Women, Successful Economies.” The meeting will be preceded by the Women in Export Trade Forum (11 May), and the Women in Digital Economy Forum (May 9-10).

Please express your interest in attending the meeting by registering online. Click on the Fora: Registers on line button located on the right side of the MIMDES webpage. Then click on the International Registration button. If you have any questions about the 2008 Women Leaders’ Network Meeting, please contact either Jacqui Thomson or Dirk Staunton at women@fahcsia.gov.au.

Letter of Invitation to attend the 13th Annual Meeting of the Women Leaders’ Network