Gender equity

We are committed to supporting gender equity, and want to create a community that is safer, healthier, more inclusive and diverse for everyone.

We are committed to supporting gender equity and preventing gender-based violence. By reducing gender-based violence, we can create a community that is safer, healthier, more inclusive, diverse and dynamic for everyone.

If you are affected by family violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Counselling Helpline, Information and Support. If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 000 (triple zero).

Gender Equity and Preventing Violence Against Women Action Plan

Our Gender Equity and Preventing Violence Against Women Action Plan 2019-2023(PDF, 811KB) seeks to improve gender equity and address the root causes of violence against women. As the second iteration of our commitment to improving gender equity and preventing violence against women, the action plan builds on Council previous work in this space and expands its focus to new actions and outcomes.

Appendices: Gender Equity and Preventing Violence Against Women Action Plan 2019-2023(PDF, 359KB).

Gender Equality Act

The Gender Equality Act will improve workplace gender equality in the Victorian public sector, universities and local councils. The Act commenced on 31 March 2021.

The Act promotes gender equality by:

  • Requiring the Victorian public sector, local councils and universities to take positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality.
  • Requiring these organisations to consider and promote gender equality in their policies, programs and services.
  • Establishing the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner to provide education, support implementation and enforce compliance.

Council must develop a Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) to meet our obligations under the Gender Equality Act (2020) and achieve gender equality in the workplace. Council must prepare, submit and publish a GEAP every 4 years.

You can view Darebin City Council’s Gender Equality Action Plan(PDF, 3MB) or contact us to find out more.

You can also read about our progress on the plan in our Gender Equality Action Plan, 2023 Progress Report.(PDF, 3MB)  

Royal Commission into Family Violence

In April 2016, the Royal Commission into Family Violence released its report and recommendations to the Victorian Government following a 13-month inquiry. The Commission was tasked with identifying and solving system-wide issues in the response and prevention of family violence.

Darebin made a submission to the Commissioners that focused on the role of local government in preventing violence against women before it occurs. You can view our submission(PDF, 1MB) and 227 recommendations in the Royal Commission into Family Violence's final report.

The Gender Equality Map

In 2018/19, Darebin was one of two local governments to participate in the Gender Equality Map pilot. It was a joint project with CrowdSpot and Monash University’s XYX Lab. The map allowed community members to drop a pin and add a comment on locations where they had experienced gender equality or inequality. The aim of the pilot was to help government and us to better understand where gender inequality occurs.

We are committed to utilising the data generated from the Gender Equality Map.

Workplace Family Violence Policy

We are committed to being a workforce and community leader in the prevention of family violence and violence against women. Any of our staff experiencing family violence can access a range of support, including access to leave, developing a safety plan and referral to a family violence service.

Darebin's Family Violence Policy Video outlines our commitment to supporting staff that experience family violence and creating a workplace that is respectful and non-violent.

Darebin Gender Equity Advisory Committee

The Darebin Gender Equity Advisory Committee (formerly the Darebin Women's Advisory Committee) aims to support the right of women to fully and equally engage and participate in community life. We uphold our commitment to local women and their rights by hearing the voices of women in our community through the Committee.

The purpose of the Darebin Gender Equity Advisory Committee (DGEAC) is to advise us on issues and barriers to equality affecting women in their diversity in the City of Darebin, notably by providing a gender lens on issues, policies, services or programs.

The Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter

Since 2008, Council has been signatory to the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter (VLGWC). The Charter promotes the principles of: gender equity, encouraging diversity in representation and participation; and women’s active citizenship. You can read our charter(PDF, 115KB).

More information

Gender Equity Officer
Phone: 03 8470 8498
Email: diversity@darebin.vic.gov.au

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