Until 1902, non-indigenous women across the continent were not allowed to vote in federal elections. Indigenous women were not allowed to vote in federal elections for another 60 years after that. During the 1960s women working in the public service and at many private companies were forced to resign from their jobs when they got married.
Women’s rights have come a long way in Australia thanks to brave supporters and activists committed to calling for change. But despite these steps towards justice, women and girls continue to experience inequality.
Through rigorous investigation and documentation, we will continue to expose the worldwide regression of women’s rights. When authorities try to hide their crimes against women, we will ensure the world bears witness.
Here are 3 facts about women’s rights in Australia today:
1. For every $1 on average a man makes, a woman earns 78c.
The average gender pay gap in Australia is 21.8% and over a year, that difference means that women are earning nearly $30,000 less than men, according to the latest Workplace Gender Equality Agency report.
There are many reasons for the gender pay gap. These include:
- Gender stereotypes and norms around care roles, lack of accommodating part-time or flexible roles and lack of accessible childcare.
- Women often face bias in progression and promotion opportunities, with many employers not offering promotions for part-time employees.
- Stereotyped industries or fields of work. Every industry in Australia has a gender pay gap that favours men. Female-dominated industries generally have lower wages and women in those industries are often working in lower paid roles.
- Differences in education and work experience opportunities.
Did you know that women of all ages spend over 9 hours a week more than men on unpaid work and care (31.6 hours for women compared to 22.4 hours for men)?
2. 1 in 3 women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
According to the 2021–22 ABS Personal Safety Survey (PSS), an estimated 8 million Australians have experienced violence (physical and/or sexual) since the age of 15, including:
- 31% of women and 42% of men who have experienced physical violence
- 22% of women and 6.1% of men who have experienced sexual violence
What is gender-based violence?
Violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately. It includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty.1
Trans women and gender diverse people experience particularly high rates of violence, including domestic and family violence, and sexual violence.
Violence against women can have devastating effects on women’s health and well-being, impacting families and broader communities.
Did you know that domestic or family violence is a leading driver of homelessness for women?
If you are experiencing violence, call 1800RESPECT or visit their website for confidential information, counselling and support services.
3. Australia does not have a federal law protecting women’s rights to reproductive health care.
Since the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022, the world has watched the rollback of reproductive rights on the USA with horror. Whilst there are no bans on abortion in Australia, and abortion is decriminalised across the country, our right to access healthcare isn’t a constitutional right or protected in our laws.
Additionally, contrary to popular belief, access to abortion services in Australia is far from affordable or accessible. Health Sociologist Louise Keogh told SBS News that while abortion has been decriminalised across Australia: “It’s very difficult to get cheap or free abortion in most states.”
“In fact, we don’t have national comprehensive human rights protections in Australia, which is something a lot of people don’t realise.”
That’s why now more than ever, establishing an Australian Human Rights Act is crucial. Did you know, we’re the only liberal democracy in the world without one?
That means if a pregnant person is denied rights such as healthcare, and access to a safe abortion, there’s nothing they can do to challenge that human rights abuse and secure their human right to healthcare.
Learn more: Australia must learn from the United States rollback on abortion rights
Use your voice
Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that belong to all of us. But our current patchwork laws are failing to protect our fundamental rights, and without a Human Rights Act, there’s almost nothing women and Australians can do if they suffer human rights abuses like gender-based violence.
Because of this, powerful people continue to abuse human rights.
With a Human Rights Act, the federal government would need to respect human rights when making decisions. That means laws, policies, and practices that respect all our right to health, adequate housing, a healthy environment, education, and more.
The good news is that we’re closer than ever to a future where this is a reality. The Labor-led Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights has recommended the government legislate a Human Rights Act to protect all our human rights in our federal laws. Now, we need the Albanese Government to agree to the inquiry’s recommendation and commit to legislating a Human Rights Act.
Together, we can create a fairer future, where women and girls are not subjected to human rights abuses because of their gender.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.
Act now or learn more about a Human Rights Act.
