Gender equality

We believe gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for effective development.

Three women smiling and holding up their fingers to make the symbol for a heart.

The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to systematically working to promote and protect gender equality and women’s rights in all aspects of the program.

We prioritise partnering with, and learning from, organisations working for gender equality and women’s rights. The program's approach to gender equality is partner-led and underpinned by upholding rights, raising voices, and investing in potential. This is complemented by broader efforts to work with men, women, boys, girls and people of diverse gender identities.

Learn more about our contributions to advancing gender equality by reading through our 2021 research summary on the topic.

Our approach to gender equality is underpinned by a series of commitments. To fulfill this goal, we have created a statement that outlines these commitments and how we are working to achieve it. Read the program's Statement of Intent to learn more.

How our partners are working towards gender equality

Three women are wearing white chef shirts and face masks, all working on cookies in an industrial kitchen.

HopeBox in Vietnam

HopeBox is a social enterprise empowering survivors of gender-based violence to transform their lives.
The hands of a group of diverse people wearing vibrant coloured bracelets.

Standing against gender-based violence in Southern Africa

Discover how two organisations in Southern Africa are working together to combat violence against women.
Women and men hold multiple protest signs calling for the end of gender-based violence. Everyone is in orange, and the signs have orange writing as well.

Ending violence against women in the Pacific

Learn what our partners in Kiribati and Solomon Island are doing to support women in achieving social, political and economic equality.

Partner spotlight

Nurani Perempuan's director, Ibu Meri, shares how their team used an Australian Volunteer Program grant to support survivors of gender-based violence.

Four people stand in a line, holding hands. This is a cartoon still from the video.

Questions on gender equality?

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