KarunaNews Story

Victoria will name 70% of new roads, placenames and landmarks after women and halve the pay gap in the public service as part of the Australian state’s first gender equality action plan, which sets out 110 commitments. The Victoria public sector will be tasked with reaching gender parity in senior leadership positions and doubling the number of men taking available paid parental leave in the public sector within five years. Local government has also been told 50% of mayors and councilors must be female by 2025. In 2020, Victoria elected 272 women, representing 43.8% of councilors, the highest percentage in Australian history. A $2m commitment to fathers’ groups across the state, will be distributed through local councils. State schools will address barriers to girls’ participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, and boys’ participation in textiles and food technology.