Beatriz Gonzalez Godfrey GCU 114 March 10, 2013 Status of Women in Australia Unlike many countries, Australian

women have established a name for themselves in their country. They are able to vote in their government, be in the work force, and be officials in the government. Status of women in Australia has changed over the past few years. They are now able to work alongside men and have their own rights. These rights were established by the Democrats in the government. The Australian Democrats strive to aid women in their homes and in the workforce. These rights include paid paternity leave, childcare for their children, equal pay, and violence prevention. Australia also has organizations assisting in womens rights. Since women are in the democratic decisions they know how it is to have a child and not having funds for supporting them when they have a new addition to their family. Since this was the case, a paid paternity leave was assured for all women in the workforce. The money given to the mother is a case that the employer decides what should be given to them. Once a mother is finished with her maternity leave, childcare is provided. The government allows women to have childcare at an affordable cost since the cost has increased over the past few years. Work places are even adding additional services such as daycares so mothers can be close to their children.

Equal pay in Australia is a good way for women to feel just as important as men and not be discriminatory based. Their pay does not matter what sex they are if they are doing the same jobs. Violence prevention is a way for women to know that they can speak up about any issues they might have in the workforce or homes. This gives them a way to have their voices heard and this is how organizations are formed. In March 2010, the Australian Government announced it would fund six National Women's Alliances. The six Alliances are each receiving $200,000 per year for three years. The Alliances take the lead in ensuring that the voices of as many women as possible are heard, especially those who in the past have found it difficult to engage in advocacy and decision making.

Citations Engaging with women's organisations. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/ourresponsibilities/women/programs-services/equal-place-in-society/engaging-withwomens-organisations Status of Women pdf: Status of women. (2007). (Master's thesis)Retrieved from http://www.democrats.org.au/docs/ActionPlans/Women_StatusofWomen_2007.pdf