Women's Policy, Research & Resource Links
This page contains links to some of the key women's policy, strategy and research websites. Please use our feedback page to suggest additional links.
Victorian Government Policy
Women's Policy Framework
The women’s policy framework is a Victorian whole of government policy for women. The Office of Women’s Policy is currently preparing the next iteration of the women’s policy framework for 2008-2012. The framework will be structured around the themes of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). These themes are:
- Justice and safety
- Education, work and economic independence
- Health, wellbeing and community strengthening
- Representation and equity.
The framework is scheduled to be released in 2008.
Women's Policy in Victoria
Publications (previous women's policy frameworks, progress reports, factsheets)
Women's Health & Wellbeing Strategy
This webpage includes information on the Women's Health & Wellbeing Strategy Stage 2: 2006 - 2010.
The background paper to the strategy is also available.
Women's Safety Strategy
The Office of Women's Policy is currently preparing the next iteration of the Women's Safety Strategy for 2008-2012. The strategy is scheduled to be released in 2008.
Family Violence - Office of Women's Policy
This website provides direct access to Victorian government information on family violence including the implementation of a significant family violence reform program. It also provides information for people wanting to know about where to seek help and advice.
The Health Costs of Violence: Measuring the burden of disease caused by intimate partner violence: A summary of findings
This 2004 study was supported by VicHealth and the Department of Human Services to assess the health impact of intimate partner violence on women.
Preventing Violence Before it Occurs: A framework and background paper to guide the primary prevention of violence against women in Victoria.
The Victorian government's evidence-based framework to support future efforts to prevent violence against women.
Women, Rights and Equality - What do they want now?
In recognition of 30 years of legislation prohibiting sex discrimination, the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission commissioned a 2007 qualitative research project to assist in informing its work in addressing discrimination against women.
Indigenous Women - Current Indicators of Indigenous Wellbeing
This website has data on Indigenous Health and Wellbeing in Victoria and much of the data is broken down by gender, Indigenous/non-Indigenous and age groups.
Indigenous Women - The Victorian Indigenous Family Violence 10 year Plan
A ten year strategic plan to address Indigenous family violence was launched in June 2008. The plan, 'Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families Towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities', is the result of a partnership between the Victorian government and Victoria's Indigenous community. It outlines objectives, strategies and actions to reduce Indigenous family violence. (See also Family Violence - Office of Women's Policy)
Ministerial Advisory Committe on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Health and Wellbeing (the GLBTI MAC)
Building on the Gay and Lesbian Health MAC established in 2000, the GLBTI MAC provides advice to the Human Services Ministers and the Department of Human Services on matters relating to the health and wellbeing of GLBTI Victorians.
The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
This Charter was enacted by Parliament in 2006 and focuses on civil and political rights.
Development of a New National Women's Health Policy
The Federal Government has released a paper outlining the aims of a new National Women's Health Policy. The policy will focus on encouraging specific health services for women and actively promoting participation of women in health decision making and management. Commencing in early 2009, the Government will consult with consumers, the community, health service providers, and state and territory governments as part of the development of the National Women's Health Policy.
Australia's combined sixth and seventh report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
In December 2008 the Australian Government lodged the sixth and seventh reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) with the UN.
Women's Human Rights - Educational Kit
The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Office for Women have launched 'Women's Human Rights', an educational kit of fact sheets about the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). These resources have been developed as an update and revision of the Australian Human Rights Commission document, 'Women of the World: Know Your International Human Rights'.
Australian Government's White Paper on Homelessness: The Road Home
Released in December 2008, this report sets the Australian Government's strategic agenda for reducing homelessness through to 2020. The White Paper recognises that domestic and family violence is the principle cause of homelessness among women. It includes a discussion on reducing domestic and family violence such as the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, due to be presented to the Government for consideration in early 2009.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Liz Broderick's Listening Tour
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission website includes information on Sex Discrimination Commissioner Liz Broderick's Listening Tour around Australia. The Listening Tour Community Report 'Gender equality: What matters to Australian women and men' was released on 22 July 2008.
Federal Discrimination Law (FDL) Online
FDL Online is the online version of Federal Discrimination Law. It is updated to reflect the latest developments in federal discrimination law.
top of pageResearch Centres and Projects
Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault
The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA) has been developed to improve access to current information on all forms of sexual assault; particularly the sexual assault of women and girls over 15 years of age.
Key Centre for Women's Health in Society
The Key Centre’s research themes and projects include; mental health and wellbeing, reproductive and sexual health, social and economic inequalities in health, and health services and technology.
The Sexual and Reproductive Health of Young Victorians (pdf 686 Kb)
This study was a collaborative project between Family Planning Victoria, Royal Women's Hospital and the Centre for Adolescent Health. It aimed to further the community's understanding of young Victorian's sexual and reproductive health and also propose ways in which it might be improved.
Women's Health Australia
The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (also known as Women's Health Australia) is a longitudinal population-based survey examining the health of over 40,000 Australian women over a 20 year period. The study is conducted by researchers and staff at the Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing at the University of Newcastle and the School of Population Health at the University of Queensland.
Wellbeing Index
The Australian Centre on Quality of Life at Deakin University undertakes regular surveys to measure the wellbeing of Australians. Data is reported by gender and age. Some surveys have a particular focus such as carers (October 2007 edition) or the impact of successive home-loan rate rises (February 2008 edition).
top of pageInternational Organisations
United Nations - Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
World Health Organisation - The Department of Gender, Women and Health
World Health Organisation - Commission on Social Determinants of Health Final Report (2008)
Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health
Department of Gender and Women's Health (2002) Gender Analysis in Health: A review of selected tools. World Health Organisation, Geneva. (pdf 2.6 Mb) http://www.who.int/gender/documents/en/Gender.analysis.pdf
Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, UK Violence Prevention Evidence Base and Resources
The Centre for Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Violence Prevention. The Centre works with the WHO to support and develop violence prevention in the UK and internationally. The website aims to provide policy makers, researchers and practitioners with a searchable resource database containing information on effective violence prevention programs. Resources include: reviewed literature, key publications, information and links to the global Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), news and links.
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