(from Pru Goward, Federal Discrimination Commissioner)
2004 will mark the 20th anniversary of the federal Sex Discrimination Act 1984. We are looking for your ideas and help to mark this important milestone.
The world today is a very different place for women than it was 20 years ago. The Sex Discrimination Act has played a crucial role in promoting a greater acceptance of the need for equality between women and men.
The role of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner is to use the Act to:
- raise awareness on issues including sex discrimination, paid maternity leave and pay equity;
- run public education campaigns on issues such as sexual harassment; and
- contribute to landmark court cases that have furthered equality for women by, for instance, embedding anti-discrimination principles in the industrial and workplace relations system, advancing pay equity, extending understanding of discrimination against women on the basis of their family responsibilities and ensuring the rights of all women to access IVF and other forms of reproductive technology.
In 2000 Australia was ranked number one on the United Nations Development Programme Gender Development Index. But if Australia is to remain at the forefront of gender issues and continue to set the global benchmark there remain important equality issues to address, such as:
- overcoming a significant and stagnant pay equity gap
- engaging men on work and families issues, and
- putting in place a universal system of paid maternity leave.
In 2004 there will be much to celebrate - and much to plan for.
I want to hear from women and men around Australia about how we should celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act, mark our achievements and focus on the challenges that lie ahead. Your organisation can mark this day by:
- Inviting a prominent woman to address your organisation or local area e.g. A local female member of parliament or a leading local female figure
- organising a morning or afternoon tea, lunch, picnic or walk
- Making a video or compiling a book on the history of women in your organisation or local area
- Getting together with the women in your organisation or local area for a women's film night.
- Organising a photograph/essay competition around the theme of "Twenty years since the Sex Discrimination Act: How far we have come, where we have got to go?" or any women's issues
- Committing your organisation or local area to supporting a local or national or global women's issue
- Raising funds in support of this issue. You may host a movie night or organise a raffle.
I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Pru Goward Federal Discrimination Commissioner Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
************************************** Send Us Your Suggestions
Please email your suggestions to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Stephen Webb Media Officer Communications Unit NSW Synod, Uniting Church in Australia Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +61 2 82674308; Fax: 92674716; Web: nsw.uca.org.au/cu/ & insights.uca.org.au/ ------------------ The Communications Unit publishes the monthly magazine Insights, conducts public relations for the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, and provides a variety of communications services. These include writing, editing, web consultation and development, desktop publishing and graphic design, public relations and advertising. For a consultation or free estimate on your project call the Communications Unit at (02) 8267 4307.
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