One year ago, Canberrans endorsed Labor's progressive, practical and proven plan for women.
Since then, the ACT Government has delivered significant reforms and investments to improve women's economic participation, health, safety and community wellbeing across Canberra.
The ACT has achieved gender parity in the ACT Public Service, with the gender pay gap now reversed to 0.3 percent in favour of women. This milestone reflects the leadership and contributions of women across Canberra's workforce.
Minister for Women, Dr Marisa Paterson, attributed the progress made for women in the past year to a deliberate focus on centring women in policy and budget conversations.
"When equality is embedded in decision-making, the outcomes speak for themselves. The ACT Government is committed to building a Canberra where women, girls and gender diverse people can thrive in the workplace, in their communities, and in every aspect of life."
To support women and their families, this year the ACT Government has:
- Rolled out free period products and dispensers in more than 30 public schools, and across health services, libraries, courts and other government facilities.
- Expanded pharmacy services to include access to treatment for urinary tract infections and contraceptive pill resupply.
- Committed over $30 million to strengthen responses to domestic, family and sexual violence, including funding for Aboriginal-led and culturally appropriate services.
- Completed gender-sensitive urban design upgrades at shopping centres in Monash, Calwell, Lanyon, Macquarie, Evatt and Narrabundah.
- Prioritised trauma-informed maternity care through the Maternity in Focus ACT Public Maternity System Plan 2022 to 2032, including specialised early pregnancy care and culturally safe birthing practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
- Strengthened perinatal mental health services through the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance, bringing together government, service providers, community members and people with lived experience.
- Invested $5.5 million to refurbish obstetric operating theatres and the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit at Canberra Hospital.
- Expanded staffing ratios in perioperative, maternity, neonatal and special care units at Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital.
- Expanded the Try-a-Trade program to an additional 5 schools to increase participation of young women in construction trades.
- Provided Fearless Women with $772,000 over two years to deliver mentoring, education and counselling programs for young women and girls.
- Delivered a record $1.7 million investment in the UC Capitals over four years to support their growth in the Women's National Basketball League.
- Invested $50,000 in the Women's Coaching and Officiating Support Program to expand leadership and training opportunities for women in sport.
- Committed to new infrastructure upgrades, including female-friendly change rooms at 15 sportsgrounds across Canberra.
- Upgraded the women's living quarters at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
- Implemented a comprehensive strategy to prevent, track and respond to sexual coercion and violence at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
The ACT Government also continues to deliver inclusive, accessible and responsive services for women, girls and gender diverse people through:
- Offering free abortion services to all ACT residents, including those without Medicare cards.
- Providing free breast and cervical screening through BreastScreen ACT and support for the National Cervical Screening Program to improve early detection and prevention of serious health conditions.
"Real progress happens when government action reflects the lived experiences of women, girls and gender diverse people," said Minister Paterson.
"We are proud of what we've achieved in just one year, but we know there is more to do. Looking ahead, we'll be developing a new plan for gender equity to ensure Canberra is a place where every person feels safe, supported and empowered."
The ACT Government is proud of the progress made in the past year and remains focused on building a Canberra where all women can thrive economically, socially and in every aspect of their lives.
