The Women's Foundation Response to the 2021 Policy Address Public Consultation

In September 2021, The Women's Foundation submitted a response to the Policy Address Public Consultation. We are pleased to submit a comprehensive set of recommendations to the Government to address gender inequality for the long term. 

Our recommendations focused on seven areas:

  • Holistic approach needed to boost female workforce participation and to increase the number of women in leadership positions, including addressing part-time and flexwork options, caregiving responsibilities, board diversity, the motherhood penalty, age discrimination, the gender pay gap and women’s health taboos
  • Increased support for women in poverty particularly around MPF and retirement protection, income support for vulnerable groups and tackling the digital divide
  • Greater protections and preventative measures around all forms of sexual and domestic violence including bringing the recommendations in the Review of Substantive Sexual Offences into law as well as improved protections against domestic violence and online violence
  • Stronger, targeted protections for vulnerable groups of women and girls including ethnic minorities, Migrant Domestic Workers, refugee and asylum seekers, and LGBT+ communities 
  • Tackling gender stereotypes in all spheres across the city including education, the workplace, and all forms of media
  • Increase the availability and accessibility of gender disaggregated data including access to mental health resources and subsidy uptake rates for single parents and informal caregivers, among other areas
  • Incorporating gender sensitivity into COVID-19 recovery plans with specific attention to employment, mental health services, domestic violence protections, unequal access technology, and specific groups of women hit hard by COVID-19

As we work towards strengthening our city and community, it is more vital than ever that gender equality, diversity, and the needs of our most vulnerable are kept in mind. 

Sep
2021