Today, International Women’s Day, the ACT Government has published a report on the third year of Equity Together: Second Action Plan 2020-2022 under the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-2026.
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on progress made towards women’s equality, call for further change, and celebrate the achievements of women and girls in all aspects of our society,” said Yvette Berry, Minister for Women.
“In 2023, the theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Cracking the code: Innovation for a gender equal future’. I am proud to say Canberra continues to be a leader in this area.”
- Have YourSay on better supporting gender equity in the ACT (28 November 2022)
Although released today, the report was written in December.
There has been more interest than anticipated in the Women in Construction elective for Women in Years 9 and 10 as part of the Understanding Building and Construction Pilot Program. More than 100 female and gender diverse students participated, exceeding the expected 60 students for the program in the 2022 school year, Ms Berry noted.
- ACT high school program encourages girls to enter construction (20 May 2022)
- Women building school is a clear lesson (12 July 2022)
23 of the 29 actions in the Second Action Plan have been fully completed. Of the six still underway, two more are expected to be completed in the coming months.
Ms Berry noted that the government consulted the community about Gender Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines, to ensure all Canberrans are proud to call this city home.
Common Ground Dickson was completed, providing 20 social housing and 20 affordable housing units that respond to the needs of tenants including older women, single parents, and families with children.
- Common Ground Dickson opens, Berry pleads for acceptance (7 October 2022)
The government engaged with the community on implementing recommendations from the We Don’t Shoot Our Wounded report. This was guided by the Domestic Violence Prevention Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group.
“These successes build on the ACT Government’s commitment to remove barriers to enable women, girls, and gender diverse people to reach their potential, contribute to innovation and ideas, and to take up leadership positions,” Ms Berry said.
“We have consulted on the development of the Third Action Plan under the ACT Women’s Plan, ensuring the views of the community are central to the plan’s development.
“I am excited about the progress that lies ahead as we continue our extensive engagement with community members, the community sector, industry, and across government to ensure our whole community is actively working towards true equality for women and girls.”
Ms Berry will deliver the Annual Statement on the status of women and girls in the ACT – which will address some issues affecting women and girls –in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 20 March.
