WomenSpeak priorities

WomenSpeak focuses on the following priority areas:

  • Advocating for a human-rights based approach to policy making and service delivery for women. 
  • Improving the inclusion and representation of the diversity of women in Australia and their different life experiences, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with disabilities and women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • Increasing the involvement of young women and a youth voice in policy work. 
  • Networking and strengthening women’s organisations, groups and gatherings through sharing resources, information, experience and good communication.
  • Assisting member organisations to participate in federal policy issues.

Background to the WomenSpeak Network

A forum for women's advocates

Since forming in 2001, WomenSpeak has become a forum for women’s advocates to promote a human rights framework for gender equality, increase the diversity of women’s representation, and build capacity for new and emerging advocates.

Diversity of voices

After a period of extensive consultation WomenSpeak chose to form a network that did not speak as a unified voice, but reflected the diversity of women's organisations in Australia.

WomenSpeak has also adopted mechanisms that allow organisations and individuals to be involved in the projects and activities of the alliance that support and enhance their own organisation's work.

We recognise that the current participants of WomenSpeak do not reflect the full-diversity of women in Australia and are actively seeking to strengthen the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with disabilities and women from culturally and linguistically diverse groups, both within our network and within the women's sector generally.

 

How we work

With members located in each state and territory, Womenspeak usually communicates by email to share information, circulate submissions and discuss issues of women’s equality, diversity and leadership. 

We also meet together twice yearly to agree to workplans, hear reports on projects and discuss collective activities.

WomenSpeak members also sometimes meet by teleconference or in smaller meetings in response to a particular issue or project.