Minister for Women, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Today I announce the appointment of Ms Christine Clarke CSC as Australia's next Ambassador for Women and Girls.
Promoting gender equality, the rights of women and girls, is a priority for Australia.
As Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Ms Clarke will work to ensure that gender equality, and empowerment of women and girls, is a central focus of Australia's diplomatic, development, and regional security efforts. Gender equality transforms economies and is a human right. In the shadow of the impact of the pandemic, active and sustained leadership on gender equality is more important than ever.
The Ambassador for Women and Girls raises the importance of addressing sexual and gender-based violence, increasing economic opportunities for women, promoting women's leadership, the critical importance of promoting positive social norms and the rights of girls.
Australia's international support for the rights of women and girls and gender equality is longstanding. We have a particular focus on the Indo- Pacific, while actively responding to in the global challenges to the rights of women and girls. Ms Clarke's distinguished military career will support Australia's strong international engagement on the women, peace and security agenda.
Ms Clarke has previously served overseas as Defence Adviser, Australian High Commission, New Zealand. In Australia she served as Head, Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office, Australian Defence Force, as well as in a number of senior roles in the Royal Australian Navy.
Ms Clarke holds a Master of Human Resource Management (Organisational Change) from Charles Sturt University; and a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from the New South Wales Institute of Technology.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Julie-Ann Guivarra for her contributions to advancing Australia's interests on gender equality issues since 2019.
