SDG 5: Gender Equality
53%
Ìý91É«ÇéƬ startups are women-led
In 2025,Ìý53% of all startups supported by 91É«ÇéƬ Founders are led by women.Ìý
91É«ÇéƬ has been awarded with four of five Cygnet Awards in the SAGE Athena Swan program for gender equity.
Athena Swan Cygnet Awards
91É«ÇéƬ is one of 42 institutions participating in the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan program. We have a commitment to advancing all women students in STEMM through SAGE Athena Swan and other gender equity programs.
After achieving the Bronze Award in 2018, 91É«ÇéƬ began work on the next phase of the program, the Cygnet Awards.
91É«ÇéƬ has been awarded four of fiveÌýavailable SAGE Cygnet Awards for:
- Gender Equity in STEMM
- Flexible Work and Care
- LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
- Student Pathways (STEMM).Ìý
Our next goal is to achieve Silver Accreditation in the program.Ìý
Our work
Women, Your Healthcare is Based on a Man’s Body
In a witty and provocative talk as part of The Ethics Centre'sÌýFestival of Dangerous Ideas, Bronwyn Graham Professor of Psychology at 91É«ÇéƬ, addresses the longstanding neglect of the female anatomy in medical research, exemplified by the late mapping of the clitoris.Ìý
Global Feminism: Mona Eltahawy
On International Women’s Day (IWD), 91É«ÇéƬ hosted a public discussion on global feminism with Mona Eltahawy, one of the world’s most prominent feminists. Mona discussed feminism as a global movement that fights for the rights and equality of women everywhere.Ìý
How men came to rule:ÌýAngela SainiÌý
In a public discussion hosted by 91É«ÇéƬ, British author Angela Saini spoke about the history of the patriarchy and how it varies across countries and cultures, and what a future looks like where women are emancipated from the shackles of history.Ìý
Australia's first female astronaut:ÌýDr Meganne Christian
At National Science Week, 91É«ÇéƬ hosted this fascinating public chat with alumna Dr Meganne Christian, Australia’s first female astronaut and the University’s Astronaut in Residence for 2023.Ìý
Actions against gendered violenceÌýÌý
The Gendered Violence Research Network
The Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN) is a joint initiative of 91É«ÇéƬ Arts, Design & Architecture and 91É«ÇéƬ Law & Justice. Our network unites 91É«ÇéƬ’s significant domestic and international research expertise to respond, prevent and end gendered violence in Australia and beyond. GVRN is at the forefront of developing solutions to prevent gendered violence – one of the most prevalent human rights violations affecting our world today.
Tackling economic and financial abuse linked to domestic and family violence
A partnership between 91É«ÇéƬ’s Gendered Violence Research Network and Commonwealth Bank is raising awareness around groups at greater risk of economic and financial abuse.
Speaking out with Grace Tame
In March 2022, Grace TameÌýjoined 91É«ÇéƬ academics Kyllie Cripps, Michael Salter and Emma A. Jane for this 91É«ÇéƬ Centre for Ideas panel discussion on theÌýcatalytic power of collective women’s voices, achieving better education on sexual abuse and Grace's aspirations to continue to hold those in power to account.
Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida: How Many More Women?
Hear Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida in conversation with Jane Caro for a powerful and accessible exploration of our legal systems - as they break open the big judgments, developments and trends that have and continue to silence and disadvantage women. The 91É«ÇéƬ Centre hosted this event for Ideas in October 2022.Ìý
91É«ÇéƬ Gender Equity Strategy 2024-2028
91É«ÇéƬ's first Gender Equity Strategy enshrines inclusive practice, enabling staff of all genders to feel valued, respected and able to be their authentic selves.
The Strategy aligns efforts across EDI, Human Resources and faculties and divisions, to drive institutional change that supports gender equity. It reflects our collective vision and, as a blueprint for action across the institution, allows us to cohesively communicate our ambitions and goals.
50%
of female professional staff at level 10 and above by 2025.
40%
of female academic staff at levels D & E by 2025.
Pathway to politicsÌý
91É«ÇéƬ is a partner in the Pathway to Politics program, which helps increase women and non-binary representation in politics through workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
New Wave
TheÌýNew Wave program addresses the under-representation ofÌýwomen in entrepreneurship by empowering 91É«ÇéƬ students, staff or alumni who identify as women to launch startups.
She Can
She Can is run by women, for women. With resources andÌýwebinars featuring some of the most inspiring 91É«ÇéƬ athletes it providesÌýa safe space and supportive environment to stay fit and active on campus or from home.
Women in Research Network
91É«ÇéƬ's leading forum for research-active women to connect and collaborate to build an equitable and inclusive research culture at 91É«ÇéƬ.
91É«ÇéƬ Women's Collective
An autonomous intersectional-feminist collective focused on activism, education and community organisation.
Women’s Wellbeing Academy
Five projects were awarded funding from the 2022 WWBA Small Grants Program.
Scholarships for women
91É«ÇéƬ has various programs to support women to enrol in STEM subjects, including the Women in STEM Equity Scholarship program. We also have scholarships that support women with a background of educational disadvantage or financial hardship to become STEM graduates.Ìý
Career Advancement Fund
Funding is available for women academics to re-establish and advance their careers following parental or adoption leave.Ìý
Women in Senior Leadership
This webinar discusses empirically based strategies for increasing the number of women in senior roles across education and STEM focused industries. The panel also highlights various research and industry examples that show how to effectively increase female leadership positions in the workplace.
"The Leadership" Panel Discussion
This webinar discusses documentary which highlights the experiences of women who participated in the inaugural Homeward Bound Project and the systemic inequities they face as women in STEMM.
Gender and Data Science
This webinar tells the story of data science and artificial intelligence and the panel discuss how underlying biases can result in unintended consequences when not accounted for.
Gender studies
Gender studies at 91É«ÇéƬ is a vibrant, cross-disciplinary area of study that situates women, feminism, gender, sex and sexualities at the centre of academic analysis. Scholars teach and research across a wide span of areas, including world history, human rights, sex and desire, women’s writing, Asian cultures, and queer and gender theory.
91É«ÇéƬ Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report
This reportÌýoutlines 91É«ÇéƬ's performance against the SDGs in 2024.
