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Australia’s commitment to gender equality

The Australian Government is committed to advancing gender equality and the human rights of women and girls.

Gender inequality exacerbates global development challenges, and no country can reach its full potential without ensuring everyone has equal opportunities.

Australia has a target that 80 per cent of all development investments effectively address gender equality and requires new investments of $3 million and above to include gender equality objectives. These measures are driving improved performance across our development program.

The Australian Government has launched Australia’s International Gender Equality Strategy, reaffirming the centrality of Australia’s commitment to gender equality. The Strategy elevates our efforts in support of women’s health, rights and safety, gender equitable climate action, locally led approaches to women’s leadership and women’s economic equality.

Gender Equality Fund

Australia’s $65 million Indo-Pacific Gender Equality Fund supports flagship initiatives promoting gender equality across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. This Fund plays a crucial role in shaping Australia's development efforts to ensure strong gender equality outcomes.

Program fund

Strengthening gender equality capability

Australia is committed to achieving the 80 per cent target for gender equality performance in our development investments, ensuring these efforts deliver meaningful outcomes. We are strengthening our capability by investing in gender equality expertise and training, to inform design and implementation, that is tailored to the unique needs of our partner countries, regions and communities, and their operational contexts.

Feminist movement strengthening in the Pacific

Supported by Australia, the We Rise Coalition held the Third Pacific Feminist Forum in 2023, bringing together over 150 Pacific feminists from 17 countries to strategise on advancing gender equality in the region and develop a roadmap for future action nationally, regionally and globally.

Three smiling woman standing in front of the Pacific Feminist Fund sign at the 3rd Pacific Feminist Forum. Credit: Boss Communications
Credit: Boss Communications