Women’s Rights in Australia
International Women’s Day is a day set aside worldwide to recognize, since 1910, women’s efforts and struggles. IWD celebrated its first occasion in Australia on Sydney soil around 1928. By 1931, IWD became a celebration within all capital cities. IWD is an opportunity to look back at how much progress has been made in modifying the laws that enshrine women’s rights in Australia, recognizing that the fight is still far from over, and calling for the elimination of the gender gap.
This article aims to present a summary of what has been achieved toward women’s rights in Australian law, as well as the changes continued by advocates seeking the attainment of real gender equality.
Women’s Rights Progress in Australia
Also, Votes for Women
Australia was one of the leading countries in the women’s suffrage movement when it emerged as one of the very first nations in the world to give women the right to vote and stand for public office.
- South Australia was the first to give the right to women to vote in 1894.
- Western Australia continued with the same in 1899.
- The Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902 extended the right to vote and the right to contend for political office to women at the federal level, thus making Australia reputedly the first country where women could participate fully in the political process.
- By 1911, all the states in Australia had given the right to women to vote at the state elections.
These rights, however, extended post the 1967 referendum to Aboriginal women (and men), at which time rights of citizenship were granted to Indigenous Australians.
First Woman Senator Elected
In 1975, Susan Ryan, a member of the Labor Party, became the Federal Parliament’s first female senator elected to represent the ACT until 1987.
The Family Law Act 1975 This act passed in 1975 was a watershed in protecting women’s rights. It:
- Established the Family Court of Australia.
- Implemented ‘no-fault divorce’ to free couples from having to prove wrongdoing.
- Gave legal protections to women against abusive relationships.
Ratifying the Women’s Convention
By Australia ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1980. This act was a milestone in establishing a law about sex discrimination in Australia. Passport Authorisation Reform
Up to the year 1983, the husband of a married woman in Australia had to authorize her for applying for a passport. It was this anomaly that was finally removed in 1983.
Sex Discrimination Act 1984
The Sex Discrimination Act was passed in 1984 to prohibit discrimination against women in work, education, property, and access to services. This act, among several other things:
- prohibited sexual harassment;
- protected pregnant and breastfeeding women;
- ensured equality to women in a workplace, school, and public services.
It is largely the result of this act that there has been a change in the gender balance in Australia, and it remains the main legislative framework over which women achieve their rights. Abortion Rights in Australia
In the last 20 years, several Australian states decriminalized abortion while assuring women’s autonomy regarding their reproductive health:
- In 2008, Victoria legalized abortion.
- The same was done for Queensland, with a 2018 deadline.
- Safe access zones around abortion clinics have been introduced in many states so that women are not harassed by protesters.
- Still, in NSW, South Australia, and Western Australia, there are criminal penalties for abortions performed without a doctor’s authorization for medical reasons.
Continual Legal and Social Challenges for Women
These are some of the continual legal and social challenges that women continue to grapple with, despite their successes in progress. Ask advocates for women’s rights for further reforms in the following areas.
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Violence Against Women
- Domestic and family violence remains a topic most concerning to Australian women.
- Every week an average of one murder per week of women occurs in relation to their current or former intimate partners.
- Even much more endangered are Indigenous women, whose domestic violence rates are disproportionately high.
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Homelessness
- Over 45,000 women in Australia are homeless, most commonly due to domestic violence or sexual assault.
- Women’s Legal and Community Services play a significant part in assisting women escaping abusive situations.
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Gender Pay Gap
- Women earn much less than men and experience financial insecurity and lower superannuation savings at retirement as a result.
- Typically, women retire with 40% lower superannuation compared to men.
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Equal Participation in Public Life
- Barriers to equal participation among women arise from:
o No legislated paid maternity leave.
o Little Free Childcare.
o Workplace Discrimination and sexual harassment.
o Gender biases in hiring and promotion processes.
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A Bill of Rights for Australia?
- Many advocates assert that Australia needs to provide a Bill of Rights in order for protecting women’s rights, rights of Indigenous Australians, refugees, and other minorities.
How Women’s Legal Services in NSW Will Help
For those facing domestic violence, workplace discrimination, or any other legal predicaments concerning women’s rights, legally free services are available via organizations like Women’s Legal Service NSW.
Lyon Legal Services proudly stands on equality for women’s rights and affordable community legal access, such as in the following areas:
- Family legal services
- Domestic violence legal assistance
- Family Court legal services
- Legal assistance for divorce
- Free legal services for women in need
- Financial and commercial legal services
Legal advice, through which some women can access the rights and justice that they deserve,
is often a critical factor in making the difference.
If you need help from a legal standpoint, contact Lyon Legal Services today to see how we can deliver affordable legal assistance for women across NSW.
To learn more, feel free to check out our website: www.lyonlegalservices.com.or call us today.
Conclusion
Though much has been achieved towards giving respect to women rights in Australia, developments are still needed in areas of concern such as violence against women and possible economic inequality. With some other legal and social reforms in place, true gender equality can be realized.
This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to the women and women’s rights so that they can achieve justice, safety, and equal opportunities.
If you need legal assistance, reach out to Lyon Legal for help and advice.
