Gender Equality Solutions

27/06/2022

It’s been difficult to find the words to express how I’m feeling about the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade - an almost 50 year old constitutional right to abortion. It’s a devastating and frightening time for people who can get pregnant in America and in other countries where this decision may inspire a similar push for reform. This is a direct attack on women’s reproductive, health and economic rights. It strips away women’s power and control over their own bodies.

Banning abortion will disproportionately impact the poor and people who are already marginalised. People who will be less likely to have the resources and support to be able to travel to access safe, legal abortion.

Banning abortion will not stop abortion. It will only stop access to safe abortion. Abortion is healthcare and should be safely accessible to all who need or want it. It should be a right.

This decision will inevitably kill women.

As Michelle Obama said “I am heartbroken - for the teenage girl, full of zest and promise, who won’t be able to finish school or live the life she wants because her state controls her reproductive decisions; for the mother of a nonviable pregnancy who is now forced to bring that pregnancy to term; for the parents watching their child’s future evaporate before their very eyes; for the health care workers who can no longer help them without risking jail time.”

I am heartbroken.

But I am also comforted by the knowledge that in the same week, my home state of South Australia became the final jurisdiction in Australia to decriminalise abortion care. An outcome that has been tirelessly fought for by advocates in the South Australian women’s sector for many, many years.

For the US, this is a huge step backwards in the fight for gender equality. I know many women, and people who are able to get pregnant, may not be doing so great right now. I'm with you. But we are resilient and will continue to fight for what’s fair and just. We stand in solidarity with our sisters in the US, and across the world, to fight for our right to autonomy over our bodies.

If you’re feeling protesty, there are rallies planned across the country over the coming week. If you are in Adelaide, there will be a rally at Beehive Corner from 5pm on Friday 1 July.

The fight continues…

- Jemma

27/05/2022

Today is the first day of National Reconciliation Week 2022. This year’s theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians to Be Brave and get active to address the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

Reconciliation plays a vital role in preventing violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women which is shaped by the intersecting drivers of gender inequality, racism and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. To end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women we must address the ongoing legacies and impacts of colonisation. Every Australian has a role to play in achieving reconciliation and ensuring a safe, respectful and prosperous society for all.

Find out more about actions you can take to make change here https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/2022-actions-to-make-change/

Gender Equality Solutions recognises the Traditional Owners of the land in which we live, work and play - the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

2022: Actions to Make Change This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be Brave Make Change is a challenge to all of us to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business […]

26/05/2022

Today is National Sorry Day, a day to acknowledge and reflect on the hurt and suffering experienced by the Stolen Generations, their families and communities. It’s also a day to commemorate the enduring strength and resilience of Stolen Generation survivors.

These historical injustices and ongoing impacts of colonisation remain an ongoing source of intergenerational trauma and pain for Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples, families and communities.

Today reminds us that all Australians have the opportunity to acknowledge past mistakes, listen and learn and reflect on how we can all play our part in the healing process.

Saying sorry is important but actions speak louder than words. What action will you take today to listen, learn and take steps towards reconciliation?

Here are some great organisations to follow and learn more - feel free to tag more in the comments!
Healing Foundation
SNAICC-National Voice for our Children
Reconciliation Australia

Image credit: Bigi nagala

17/05/2022

Today is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination. Gender Equality Solutions stands in solidarity with all LGBTQIA+ folks to end discrimination. Here are some great tips from the legends over at Minus18 on how you can build LGBTQIA+ inclusion, today and every day! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

17/05/2022

What an important decision by the Fair Work Commission. The inclusion of 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave in modern awards will provide a financial safety net for workers at the times when they need support the most. This decision will benefit 2.6 million workers on modern awards. Let’s hope this provision can now also be extended to all employed Australians.

Handed down by the the Fair Work Commission yesterday, millions of Australians will be afforded 10 days’ paid domestic violence leave.

18/03/2022

Happy Election Day South Australia!

If gender equality is high on your priority list when voting this election, then check out this useful scorecard by the Women's Electoral Lobby - SA to see where the major parties sit on issues important to women.

Happy voting and enjoy your democracy sausage!

The Women's Electoral Lobby SA is happy to finally present our 2022 State Election Scorecard!

Late last year WEL-SA consulted with South Australian women on what they feel are the most pressing issues they're facing today. This formed the basis of our State Election priorities.

Our volunteers then took these priorities straight to the three major South Australian Parties, through surveys and interviews. The data collected was then simplified into this final scorecard.

The surveys and other information provided by the Parties, as well as a breakdown of our priorities, will be available on our website: https://welsa.org.au/campaigns/

We hope this scorecard will inform the South Australian public on where the major political Parties stand on taking action on feminist issues.

It's time to tell our politicians that IWD cupcakes, social media posts and tokenistic efforts are not going to cut it.

Please share this scorecard and remember,

Think WEL before you vote.

18/03/2022

CW: This post discusses violence against women.

Hands up of you were told as a young woman that you need to be careful when you’re out at night 🙋‍♀️ Make sure your phone is charged. Hold your keys in your hand. Let your friend know that you got home safe.

As women, we are constantly told we aren’t safe. That we need to be careful. And when something happens to us, despite all the precautions we take, we are told we should’ve been more careful. What did we do to provoke or encourage? Why were we there? What were we wearing?

Rarely do we ask why he thought it was ok to harass her or touch her. Rarely do we ask why his mates didn’t step up and say it’s not ok.

That’s why this new campaign by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is so on the money. As bystanders, we can all play a role in challenging disrespect, harassment and violence when we see it but it is particularly important for men to hold other men accountable.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to be an active bystander to prevent violence against women, Gender Equality Solutions offers engaging training for all staff groups. Get in touch to find out more.

Male violence against women and girls starts with words. If you see it happening, have a word with yourself—then your mates. For more information on how we’r...

15/03/2022

It was a pleasure to speak on unconscious gender bias at MGI Adelaide’s Success Her Way International Women’s Day event last week.

Gender Equality Solutions provides unconscious gender bias training for workplaces. Get in touch to find out more.

11/03/2022

Welcome! To wrap up what has been an exciting and invigorating International Women’s Day week, we're proud to launch our new website and page into the world 🎉

If your business has been inspired by conversations you’ve had this week about gender equality and breaking the bias, then Gender Equality Solutions is here to support you take the step into action.

Our engaging Bystander Action Training and Unconscious Gender Bias Training are great ways to kick start your organisation’s gender equality journey.

We'd love to chat to you about options that will work for your business so get in touch!