Committee view
4.1
The committee notes that during the 44th Parliament the
question of domestic violence was referred to the committee for inquiry. The
terms of that inquiry were broad, and allowed the examination of a wide range
of issues associated with domestic and family violence. The report from that
inquiry Domestic violence in Australia was tabled in the Senate on 20
August 2015. It contained 25 recommendations. The government has not yet
provided a response.
4.2
The terms of the present inquiry are considerably narrower, and refer
the committee to a subset of questions regarding gender inequality, principally
those associated with entertainment, toys and education.
4.3
The committee commends the report from the previous inquiry, noting that
its broader terms of reference enabled a more thorough discussion of the
complex relationship between gender inequality and violence than that possible
with the present inquiry’s terms of reference.
4.4
Notwithstanding this, having considered the evidence, the committee is
of the following views.
4.5
The committee is encouraged by work undertaken to date to change gender
roles and stereotypes. However, there is clearly more work to be done as
evidenced by Australia's decline on the global index measuring gender equality
from 15th in 2006 to 24th in 2014.[1]
4.6
The committee can see areas of progress in the results of the National
Community Attitudes towards Violence Against Women Survey with most Australians
supporting gender equality in the public arena such as workplaces and most
acknowledging that women still experience inequality in the workplace.
4.7
However, the committee is concerned that more than a quarter of
Australians still endorse attitudes supportive of male dominance of
decision-making in relationships which is identified as a risk factor for
partner violence.
4.8
It is clear that work needs to start early and working with young people
is important to embed long term societal change and establish healthy
relationships. As in the committee's previous report, it continues to support
programs which improve the ability of young people to form and maintain
positive and respectful relationships.
4.9
The committee recognises the ways in which gender inequality can
manifest itself more broadly in our society. In particular, the committee notes
the continued underrepresentation of women in senior management roles in the
private sector and the public service and on government and non-government
boards. It commends work being undertaken to increase workforce participation
for women and policies to increase female representation on boards.
4.10
The committee strongly supports access to flexible working arrangements
such as part-time work and flexible working hours. Ensuring and expanding
access to flexible working arrangements and changing the gendered expectations
and culture of work are key elements to achieving workplace equality.
4.11
Wider access to affordable childcare and better sharing of unpaid caring
and domestic work will promote women's workforce participation as well as
reducing the rigidity of gender stereotypes.
4.12
The committee considers that the media and entertainment industry play an
important role in shaping and changing community attitudes, standards and
behaviours, especially for young people. The committee supports the National
Media Engagement Project, an initiative under the National Plan which engages
the media to build awareness of the impacts of gender stereotyping and inequality.
The committee commends the steps taken by the toy industry to address community
concerns regarding toys and gender.
4.13
The committee recognises that the achievement of gender equality in
Australia in the areas touched on in this report is a long term challenge, a
fact recognised in the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their
Children 2010-2022. The National Plan includes key actions to advance gender
equality: improve women's economic participation and independence; improve the
participation of women in leadership positions; build and support legal
literacy among migrants and refugees on Australian law and gender equality
principles; and develop workplace measures to support women experiencing and
escaping from domestic violence. The committee is of the view that support for
the National Plan should continue.
Senator Jenny McAllister
Chair
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