Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women

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3 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Contents Message from the Minister for Women s Policy 2 Introduction 3 The Office of Women s Policy 4 Women and Girls of the Northern Territory 5 4 Key Focus Areas for Action 7 Women s Safety 8 Women s Health and Wellbeing 11 Economic Security 14 Leadership and Participation 18 Overview of Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women 20 1

4 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Message from the Minister for Women s Policy As Minister for Women s Policy, I am committed to improving opportunities for all Northern Territory women. As a group, women and girls in the Northern Territory reflect many different cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The rich diversity among Territory women and girls is worth celebrating. Every woman has a unique story to tell and contribution to make to the fabric of Territory life. This Policy Framework has been developed based on consultations with Northern Territory women and stakeholders as well as numerous submissions made to the Office of Women s Policy during the consultation process. It will set the policy direction and priorities for the Northern Territory Government in relation to advancing the status of women from 2015 to This Policy Framework will form the basis for a strategy supported by practical measures to advance the status of Territory women. There needs to be a connection between the reality of Territory women s lives and government policy to ensure that real differences are made. Women s economic security, women s safety, women s health and wellbeing and the participation of women in leadership are not issues for women and girls to solve themselves. They are issues for all of us to talk about and address. We all need to take responsibility and make changes so that all Territorians have the same opportunities girls and women, boys and men of all ages and from all places in the Northern Territory. The Hon. Bess Nungarrayi Price 2

5 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Introduction The Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women sets the policy direction and priorities of the Northern Territory Government s Office of Women s Policy for It builds on progress made under the previous policy framework Building on Our Strengths: A Framework for Women in the Northern Territory and is guided by the priorities set out in the current Northern Territory Government forward plan Framing the Future. Using a cross-agency approach the Office of Women s Policy ensures that women, as well as men, are considered fully in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government policy. The NT Government Framing the Future strategic plan focusses on growing the Northern Territory under four main themes: Prosperous Economy Strong Society Confident Culture Balanced Environment The priorities for the Office of Women s Policy under the Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women have been developed through consultations with and submissions from Territory women and community organisations. There are four key focus areas for the Policy Framework these are: Women s Safety Health and Wellbeing Economic Security Leadership and Participation This Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women focusses on the contribution that women make to the Territory and where improvements or changes need to be made to ensure economic, social, and cultural equality between Territory men and women. This is a living document and the Northern Territory community is encouraged to provide feedback and comment regarding issues affecting Territory women and how these may be addressed to the Office of Women s Policy. 3

6 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY The Office of Women s Policy The Office of Women s Policy, was established in 1983 as part of the Northern Territory s obligations when Australia became a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). As a signatory to CEDAW, Australia is required to enshrine gender equity into legislation and enact provisions to guard against discrimination against women. The Office of Women s Policy coordinates Northern Territory Government reporting against CEDAW as well as other international obligations that relate to the advancement of the status of women such as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the Millennium Development Goals, the Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Platform for Action, and United Nations Resolution The Office also coordinates Northern Territory reporting for the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children The Office provides advice across government in relation to issues affecting women and advocates for all Northern Territory Government data to be collected and reported disaggregated by sex. When data is collected and reported in this way it provides a better understanding of the experiences of women and men. This is particularly the case when this data is combined with other diversifying factors such as age, cultural background, and whether rural or remote. The Office of Women s Policy undertakes gender analysis of policies and programs to understand whether proposed or existing policies and programs deliver equally beneficial outcomes for women and men. This gender analysis relies on the collection of data disaggregated by sex. As well as policy advice across government and support to the Minister for Women s Policy, the Office administers various grants and scholarship programs focussing on activities to advance the social, political and economic status of Territory women. The Office also develops relationships with Northern Territory community organisations to assist and facilitate partnerships and connections that can enhance outcomes for Territory women. The Office of Women s Policy 2nd Floor RCG House Smith Street, Darwin, NT 0800 PO Box 2850, Darwin, NT 0801 Phone: +61 (08) Fax: +61 (08) owp@nt.gov.au Web: 4

7 Women and Girls of the Northern Territory OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics demographic data as at June 2014, there are females in the Northern Territory making up 47% of the resident NT population. Girls under the age of 25 make up just under 37% of all females in the Northern Territory. Women over the age of 60 make up just under 10% of all females. 1 As at the 30 June 2011, or 31.3% of women in the Northern Territory identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. 2 Approximately 19% of Territory women were born overseas. 3 As at June 2014, there are females in the Northern Territory making up 47% of the resident NT population. 1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Demographic Statistics, June Australian Bureau of Statistics, Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, June Australian Bureau of Statistics, 34120DO009_ Migration Australia and , Dec OCPE website, accessed 22/7/14 5 Australian Bureau of Statistics 62270DO001_ Education and Work, Australia, May 2013 With a life expectancy of 82.6 years, Australian women have one of the best life expectancy rates in the world, unless you are an Indigenous woman (72.9 years). Women make up 44% of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, and females hold 43% of the senior management positions (SAO2 ECO6) and comprised 62.9% of the Northern Territory Public Service. 4 49% of NT women aged have completed a Certificate III or higher, this compares to 52% of women nationally. 5 5

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9 4 Key Focus Areas for Action Heading OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Women s Safety Economic Security Women s Health and Wellbeing Leadership and Participation FRAMEWORK FOR NORTHERN TERRITORY WOMEN POLICY

10 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Women s Safety Policy Commitment The government is committed to reducing the incidence of violence against women in the Northern Territory community and seeks to increase the safety of all Territory women in their homes, work places and communities. Women s Safety is an important component of a Women s Policy Framework with a significant proportion of submissions to the policy discussing the issue of violence against women in the Northern Territory community. Domestic and family violence as well as sexual assault and sexual harassment are widely acknowledged to be under-reported crimes and the short and long term effects on the physical, social, emotional and financial wellbeing of victims can be devastating. Females made up 64% of all assault victims in the Northern Territory in 2013 and 87% of female victims knew the offender. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females had a victimisation rate more than three times that of male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims. 6 For the 12 month period ended November 2014, there were 7076 assault offences in the Northern Territory, of which 4262 or 60% were recorded as being associated with domestic violence. For this same period there were 349 sexual assault and related offences. 7 Violence against women is defined in the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women 1993, as any act of gender based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life. For the purposes of this policy framework, violence against women includes domestic and family violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment, bullying behaviour and harassment in the workplace, cyber bullying/sexting, human (and sex) trafficking, and female genital mutilation. Actions A whole-of-government and whole of community approach to the reduction of all forms of violence in our community through the implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children together with the Northern Territory Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy Safety is Everyone s Right. The Northern Territory Government has committed to implementing the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children in the Northern Territory. The National Plan is a 12 year strategy that seeks to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in violence against women and their children in Australia. It has a strong focus on stopping violence through long-term cultural change, ensuring that women who experience violence receive the services and support they need to recover and rebuild their lives, holding perpetrators to account, and building the evidence-base to inform improved policy and service responses to domestic and family violence, and sexual assault. The National Plan is to be implemented through four, three year action plans. The Second Action Plan is currently being implemented and contains 26 practical actions that all governments agree are critical in reducing violence against women. The Office of Women s Policy and the Minister for Women s Policy, Hon Bess Nungarrayi Price provide representation to and progress actions for the Australian Government regarding the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children Implementation Group as well as the Australian National Research Organisation for Women s Safety (ANROWS) and Our Watch. The Office of Women s Policy also provides regular progress reports to the Australian Government regarding the implementation of the National Plan in the Northern Territory. 8 6 Australia Bureau of Statistics, Recorded Crime Victims, Australia, Cat No Northern Territory Quarterly Crime Statistics, January 2015

11 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Women s Safety The Northern Territory Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy, titled Safety is Everyone s Right, has been developed through the commitment to the National Plan. It directly aligns with priority areas in Framing the Future by seeking to reduce violence in the home, reduce re-offending and reduce violence in schools as well as contributing to outcomes under the National Framework for Protecting Australia s Children Safety is Everyone s Right is a joint initiative between the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Government. It is a whole-of government approach that addresses the negative impact of service integration and provides for more specialised support services for victims and effective perpetrator rehabilitation programs. The strategy identifies five key action areas for change: Prevention Early intervention Protection safety for victims Rebuilding the lives of victims and survivors Perpetrators taking responsibility for their actions. Progress under this identified action will be reported through the implementation and progress of the Northern Territory Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy and the Action Plans under the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women. The development of a Northern Territory Sexual Violence Strategy. The Office of Women s Policy, the Department of Health and the Department of Attorney-General and Justice will be working together to develop a sexual violence strategy to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual violence in the NT. This strategy intends to address all forms of sexual violence including sexual assault, sexual harassment, bullying behaviour and harassment, cyber bullying/sexting, human (and sex) trafficking, and female genital mutilation. The strategy will focus on reducing the incidence of all types of sexual violence and increasing access to services available to victims, with a particular focus on rural and remote areas. The development of the strategy will involve consultation with relevant stakeholders and the Northern Territory community to understand and identify the components required to develop an effective strategy. A focus on the primary prevention of violence through education; increased awareness of the impacts of violence; and changing the behaviours of perpetrators who choose to use violence in relationships. The Northern Territory Government Domestic Violence Reduction Strategy Safety is Everyone s Right identifies prevention and early intervention as well as accountability and positive change for perpetrators as key areas for action. The Department of Attorney-General and Justice lead this integrated approach to solving the high incidence of domestic and family violence in the Northern Territory. The strategy will be implemented through Government departments, including the Department of Local Government and Community Services, and non-government organisations working closely together to deliver localised approaches to victim support and perpetrator interventions. 9

12 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Women s Safety As well as monitoring and reporting the implementation of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women in the Northern Territory, the Office of Women s Policy is a member of Our Watch, an independent, not for profit organisation, whose primary aim is to raise awareness and engage the community in actions to prevent violence against women and their children. The Office of Women s Policy currently provides direct input from the Northern Territory in the creation of a National Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Framework being developed by Our Watch which will drive nation-wide change in the culture, behaviours and attitudes that underpin and create violence against women and their children. The Office of Women s Policy is also a member of the ANROWS project that is investigating media representations of violence against women and their children. The project will provide relevant data regarding media representations of violence against women as well as developing strategies to engage with media to ensure that violence against women is reported in a way that supports prevention and does not cause further harm. Ensuring effective support for women victims and survivors, including those in the Northern Territory justice system. Safety is Everyone s Right identifies protection and safety for victims and their children and rebuilding victims lives as key action areas. The focus of these action areas is on localised and place-based responses and culturally responsive services as well as the implementation of integrated and coordinated referral systems. A centrepiece of Safety is Everyone s Right is the Family Safety Framework which is an action-based crisis intervention response that is led by Northern Territory Police and focusses on protecting high risk victims from further harm by sharing information across agencies and developing a plan of immediate action The Office of Women s Policy as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women Second Action Plan Implementation Executive Group is investigating and mapping service gaps for particular cohorts of women such as women with a disability, indigenous women from rural and remote areas and culturally and linguistically diverse women. 10

13 Women s Health and Wellbeing Policy Commitment The government is committed to improved health outcomes for all Northern Territory women. Women and men experience health differently. The Beijing Declaration states that Women and men have different life and health experiences due to biological, psychological, economic, social, political and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female. Sex or the biological differences in body composition, metabolism and hormones between women and men can also create differences in the presentation of illnesses, susceptibility to disease, disease progression and responses to treatment. The World Health Organisation identifies good health as complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity. 8 Australia has a National Women s Health Policy that identifies key social determinants that impact women s health and wellbeing such as; sex and gender, life stages, access to resources and diversity. The Policy has five policy goals that aim to address these determinants: Highlight the significance of gender as a key determinant of women s health and wellbeing. Acknowledge that women s health needs differ according to their life stage. Prioritise the needs of women with the highest risk of poor health. Ensure the health system is responsive to all women, with a clear focus on illness prevention and health promotion. Support effective and collaborative research, data collection, monitoring, evaluation and knowledge transfer to advance the evidence base on women s health. The Northern Territory Government, through the Women s Health Strategy Unit in the Department of Health recognises the need for policy and program approaches that respond to the different requirements of women and men and that some health issues are unique to, more common, or more serious for women. These include sexual and reproductive health (including family planning), child birth and support for parenting, breast and cervical cancer prevention, the profound impact of family and sexual violence, primary care giving, and stress relating to the multiple roles women play. Actions A reduction in the incidence of ill health, injury and early death for Northern Territory women through raising awareness and changing behaviours, encouraging Territory women to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. The Northern Territory fares poorly when looking at health outcomes across all other states and Territories and health outcomes for non- Indigenous women in the Northern Territory are better overall than those for Indigenous women. Differences in life expectancy at birth estimates between non-indigenous and Indigenous Australians are greatest in the Northern Territory with the gap between NT Indigenous and non- Indigenous males being 14 years, and between NT Indigenous and non-indigenous females, 12 years. 9 Data shows that there is a higher level of illicit drug use in the Northern Territory in comparison to all other states and territories in Australia. There is also trend of general alcohol consumption and high-risk binge drinking on the rise among females, particularly young females. 10 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY 8 World Health Organisation (1946) Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organisation 9 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Health and Welfare of Australia s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, National Drug Strategy Household Survey

14 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Women s Health and Wellbeing Data relating to Alcohol and smoking prevalence during pregnancy shows that Indigenous mothers were more than twice as likely as non Indigenous mothers to report smoking during pregnancy. 11 Both men and women s participation rate in sport was at lower levels in the Northern Territory than the national population; with men participating at a higher rate than females. 12 Indigenous women have higher fertility than non-indigenous women in all districts, both urban and rural remote. 13 The leading cause of death for both Northern Territory non-indigenous and Indigenous females was diabetes and stroke. 14 In the area of sexual health the Northern Territory has a much higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections than other states, some at alarming levels. The Office of Women s Policy works closely and collaboratively with the Women s Health Strategy Unit to progress improvements in health outcomes for Northern Territory women. The role of the Women s Health Strategy Unit is to inform policy development and set strategic directions in relation to women s health issues in the Northern Territory as well as to facilitate partnerships with stakeholders to develop and implement best practice models to improve women s health. The Office of Women s Policy actively supports initiatives and activities by the Northern Territory Government and community organisations that encourage Northern Territory women to make healthy life choices, to take up exercise or other recreational activities with a view to improved health and wellbeing outcomes. The Northern Territory Government through the Framing the Future forward plan has committed to expand the range and reach of sporting events across the Territory and enhance the capacity of regional and remote communities to deliver regular and organised sporting competitions. This commitment seeks to provide more opportunities for men and women from rural and remote areas to participate in organised sporting competitions and in whole of community activities. Ensuring equity of access to health services for all Northern Territory Women. Access to health care is extremely important to allow prevention, early detection and treatment of illness, and management of chronic conditions. The Northern Territory has a particularly unique set of challenges in the area of health service delivery. The tyranny of distance is such that for those living rural and remote vast distances must be travelled for treatment. There can also be issues associated with access to and the cost of transport, as well as accommodation availability and cost in regional centres when attending health appointments. Also, some health services are only available interstate. These factors can deter people from seeking treatment, or it can mean that treatment may be delayed. These issues, as well as having access to prevention and early intervention services, culturally sensitive service provision and the availability of accurate health information have been raised by Territory women as important issues for them that need to be addressed Northern Territory Midwives Collection, Mothers and Babies ABS Survey of Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australian Bureau of Statistics Health and Welfare of Australia s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Health and Welfare of Australia s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2010

15 Women s Health and Wellbeing The Northern Territory Government has committed to working towards a strong society that is capable of making a difference through integrated, responsive and accessible services, a focus on early intervention and prevention; and by strong collaboration in the design and delivery of services to the most vulnerable that lead to long term outcomes and self-sustainability. It is through this commitment that these issues have been recognised and can be addressed for Northern Territory women. The Office of Women s Policy through consultative mechanisms and through engagement with Northern Territory women seeks to identify issues for Northern Territory women in accessing health services when they arise and advocate to alleviate these issues where possible. Access to culturally appropriate health services, health information and health education for all Northern Territory women. The Northern Territory s isolated and dispersed population and the diversity of cultures means there are gender issues specific to the Territory. An example of this is the high proportion of NT women who are Indigenous (31.3%), and that many of these women are governed by the cultural norms of women s business and men s business. These terms refer to the customs and responsibilities for culture held by men and women, as well as those activities that are for women only or men only in Indigenous communities. Women s health and wellbeing are part of women s business. It is important that these women are able to access female health professionals as in some instances when there are only male health professionals available they may defer seeking treatment. The Northern Territory also has a very high proportion of people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Census data indicates that almost 30% of the population speak a language other than English at home and that 5% speak English not well or not at all. 15 The Northern Territory Government supports the provision of health promotion and services that are responsive and respectful to their client group and that value and acknowledge cultural understandings and knowledge. An example of this is the Northern Territory Government Health Promotion Framework which was released in This document provides guidance for government, non-government organisations and the community on incorporating quality health promotion actions, interventions and programs into service delivery. The Northern Territory Department of Health has committed to working in a culturally safe and secure manner and in particular is committed to building community and Aboriginal health promotion workforce capacity to ensure health promotion activities are entirely appropriate and effective. The Office of Women s Policy and the Women s Health Strategy Unit will continue to collaborate and support the provision of culturally appropriate health services and health information to Northern Territory women and through consultation and engagement seek to understand what works, where gaps may be and how these may be remedied. OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY 15 Department of Immigration and Border Protection, The People of the Northern Territory, Statistics from the 2011 Census,

16 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Economic Security Policy Commitment The government is committed to improved economic opportunities, choices and outcomes for all Northern Territory women. Economic security means having access to a stable sufficient income that allows for the maintenance of a standard of living for you and your dependents conducive to physical and mental wellbeing currently and in the near future. It also means having financial independence to live safely and with dignity, whether single or with a partner. It can also include the capacity for home ownership, the ability to access to credit and the capacity to meet the poverty index. There are many factors that can impact on women s economic security throughout their lifetime. Women predominate in lower paid employment, part-time employment and unpaid work and often have interrupted work patterns due to caring for family or a lack of access to stable employment. These factors also have a direct impact on women s retirement savings leaving them vulnerable to living in poverty later in life. The Office of Women s Policy has a focus on improving women s economic security, financial independence and workforce participation throughout the life course. The Office of Women s Policy supports activities that promote and encourage women s economic contribution to the Territory and that focus on areas where women need support to gain economic security. Pay equity is the idea that men and women should receive equal remuneration for work of equal value. Actions Reducing the gender pay gap in the Northern Territory over time. Pay equity is the idea that men and women should receive equal remuneration for work of equal value. When the jobs that women do are under rated, undervalued and all of the knowledge, skills and expertise required to undertake the job are inadequately assessed, not acknowledged nor recognised, pay inequity is the result. There are a number of factors that influence the gender pay gap such as women and men working in different industries and in different jobs where historically female dominated industries and jobs have attracted lower wages than male dominated industries and jobs. Other factors include a lack of women in senior positions, differences in education and work experience and the predomination of women in part-time employment. As at May 2014 the gender pay gap in the Northern Territory was 18.9% for average weekly ordinary full time earnings. 16 This equates to a further 69 extra days that the average Northern Territory woman must work to receive the same pay as the average man. 17 This figure is higher than the national pay gap which was 18.2%. The Office of Women s Policy continues to raise community awareness about the issue of equal pay through promotion of events such as Equal Pay Day and advocates for gender pay audits and pay equity tools that have been developed to address the gender pay gap in Australia. The Office also monitors and reports on the gender pay gap in the Northern Territory locally and nationally Australian Bureau of Statistics, Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, May 2014, cat. No Gender Pay Gap statistics, Workplace Gender Equality Agency publication, August 2014.

17 Economic Security Equal access to employment, education and training for all Northern Territory women. Improving and strengthening access to education and training is a vital component in achieving economic and financial security for women, however many women in remote areas can have difficulty accessing education, training and employment opportunities. The Northern Territory Government, through the Framing the Future forward plan has committed to improvements in access to skills development and training opportunities for those in rural and remote areas. Higher education can offer greater choice in employment than for those who do not pursue education beyond high school. Higher education attainment has been linked to improvements in an individual s quality of life, in terms of better access to health care, better dietary and health practices, and greater economic stability and security. The Office of Women s Policy delivers the Minister for Women s Scholarships each year through Charles Darwin University that are designed to improve employment, economic security and general life outcomes for women. There is one Higher Education Scholarship of $ provided each year along with $1200 for the purchase of a laptop computer and two Vocational Education and Training Scholarships of $2000 each year. The scholarships are aimed at women who demonstrate economic, social, cultural or geographic disadvantage and encouragement is given to women who are applying to study in non-traditional trades or educations streams. The Office of Women s Policy maintains a number of partnerships with community organisations who seek to improve education and economic outcomes for Territory women as their core business, and the Office actively encourages Territory women to improve their economic and life outcomes through education and employment. A focus on encouraging women to increase workforce participation, enter non-traditional occupations and business ownership. Often the public debate about gender equality has a focus on women s access to positions of leadership but this is only a small part of the issue. The broader question is whether women are able to access the same opportunities as men to participate in labour markets in the first place. The Australian Bureau of Statistics Barriers and Incentives to Labour Force Participation Survey asked respondents aged years who were not employed or who usually worked part-time hours in all jobs about a range of incentives that would encourage them to join or increase their participation in the labour force. For female respondents the most important factor by far was; the ability to work part-time hours with 61% of females reporting this as a very important incentive. 18 Due to women taking up most of the unpaid caring responsibilities within families, female participation in the workforce can be significantly affected by the availability of flexibility of workingtime arrangements or part time employment. The Global Gender Gap Report ranks Australia number 1 for educational attainment however ranks us number 51 in workforce participation and number 63 for wage equality for similar work. 19 Women dominate in educational attainment so these figures reflect an underutilisation of educated women in the workforce. These figures highlight that women in Australia have the best education outcomes in the world, but that this is not being translated to wage equality or women s workforce participation. Many male-dominated industries are suffering from a lack of skilled workers. In fact, Australia ranks fourth in the world in talent shortages. But a number of leaders in male-dominated industries, both here in Australia and overseas, have OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY 18 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Barriers and Incentives to Labour Force Participation, Australia, Cat. No , July 2012 to June World Economic Forum, The Global Gender Gap Report

18 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Economic Security recognised the underutilised pool of talent that women represent. Encouraging greater women s participation in these industries could go a long way to addressing these skills shortages. Employment in male-dominated industries can deliver higher wages and encouraging women to enter these industries can improve women s economic opportunities and outcomes. The Office of Women s Policy seeks to ensure that women, as well as men, are able to equally benefit from the resources boom and economic growth in the Territory, through advocacy and partnerships with industry groups to encourage women to be considered when addressing skills shortages as well as looking at broad strategies to increase women s workforce participation. Small business is acknowledged as a vital sector of the Territory economy and it is recognised that women play a significant role in Territory business, particularly in small business. The Northern Territory Government has committed, through the Framing the Future forward plan to building an economy that is built on strong local businesses and a skilled and flexible workforce as well as to increase the capacity and capability of Aboriginal Territorians and businesses by improving access to training, development, management and commercialisation of Aboriginal knowledge. The Office of Women s Policy, through this commitment, will have a focus on ways to support women from all parts of the Northern Territory to establish and maintain businesses to increase their economic prosperity. Increasing options for ensuring that young mothers have the opportunity to continue their education or skills development. Early motherhood has significant implications for women in many areas particularly in that their schooling is disrupted and often not continued resulting in limited employment options over the life course. In 2011 the mean age of Indigenous mothers was 24.8 years which is five years younger than that of non-indigenous mothers (29.8 years) with 20% of Indigenous mothers being less than 20 years of age. 20 The Northern Territory Department of Education delivers the Pregnant and Parenting Program in Darwin to engage pregnant teenagers and young mothers in a flexible, supportive learning environment. This program supported 24 students in The Office of Women s Policy will be engaging across government and with community organisations to encourage similar programs to be delivered in remote and regional areas where they are also needed to support young mothers to continue their education and therefore secure their economic future Northern Territory Midwives collection, NT Mothers and Babies, 2011

19 Economic Security Recognising the issues of maintaining sufficient income and access to employment for older women. Women are two-and-a-half-times more likely to live in poverty in their old age than men, and current superannuation payouts for women are less than half that received by men. Combined with lower wages, women also dominate in part-time and unpaid work, and are more likely to have interrupted work patterns. Women s life time savings generally are much less than men s due to a lack of paid maternity leave, divorce, caring roles and past government and structural discriminatory practices such as the marriage bar. Women also live longer on average and consequently more women have to support themselves with fewer resources in the later years of their life. Older women also experience difficulty in gaining or maintaining employment through age discrimination exacerbating the issue of poverty for older women. The Office of Women s Policy through community partnerships will be exploring ways that can alleviate these issues for older women in the Northern Territory and how younger women can prevent these issues affecting them in their later years. OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY 17

20 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Leadership and Participation Policy Commitment The government is committed to increasing the number of women in decision making and leadership roles to increase the influence that women have on decisions that affect their lives; and that women have every opportunity to realise their full potential and participate in all aspects of Territory life. Decisions making bodies have an important influence on how society functions, how resources are allocated, who benefits and who receives financial assistance. It is important that these entities reflect the community that their decisions affect. Diversity on decision-making bodies can also bring alternative experiences and perspectives to the table. Although women comprise half of our communities, women do not represent half of our leaders. Women can be more likely than men to experience marginalisation and disadvantage through a myriad of factors such as a lack of economic security, domestic violence or caring responsibilities. Increasing social participation can empower both the individual and the community. One way of doing this is to encourage women to take on leadership and decision making roles within their community. There has to date been a significant amount of investment in developing and educating women for leadership. In contrast, there is very little invested in determining and addressing systemic barriers that can prevent women from ascending to leadership positions. Actions That decision making bodies are reflective of the communities that they represent and make decisions for encourage and promote a gender balance on government and non-government boards and advisory bodies. The Office of Women s Policy developed the Women on Boards website to increase the number of opportunities for Territory women to take up positions on decision making bodies. As part of the new Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women, the Office of Women s Policy will be invigorating the website and promoting the tool to Territory women and community organisations. The updated website will connect local organisations with women seeking board and committee appointments. The Office of Women s Policy website will also have a renewed focus on providing women of the Northern Territory with practical advice regarding board and committee membership and promoting leadership training opportunities for women. The Office of Women s Policy also monitors and reports on women on government boards and committees and in positions of leadership in the Northern Territory. 18

21 Leadership and Participation Provide practical advice and encourage women to put themselves forward for community leadership roles. The Office of Women s Policy will be engaging with Northern Territory women about leadership through community consultations and engagement and promoting programs that aid women to increase their skills in this area. The Office, through social media and the Office of Women s Policy website will also promote useful toolkits and practical advice about how women can be leaders in their community and the rights and obligations of sitting on a decision making body. Implementation of mechanisms for consultation with women to enable them to influence government policy. The Office of Women s Policy will be undertaking a number of initiatives that aim to encourage Territory women to participate in the local community, share their ideas, strive to become leaders in their fields or people of influence in their community. The Northern Territory Government has also committed to the establishment of a women s advisory mechanism to provide direct advice to the Minister for Women s Policy and the Office of Women s Policy. The Office of Women s Policy is currently examining models for this mechanism that will provide advice about issues affecting women in the Northern Territory as well as reviewing initiatives and policies aimed at advancing the status of women in the Northern Territory. Implementation of and promotion of mechanisms that recognise, acknowledge and reward the achievements and contribution of women to the Northern Territory. Recognising and acknowledging the contribution that women make to the Northern Territory is an important component of increasing the visibility of women and promoting positive role models. As part of the Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women, the Office of Women s Policy will be establishing a recognition program for Territory women in 2015 that will allow women who are champions in their field or who through their efforts make the Territory a great place to live be acknowledged and recognised for their achievements and effort. Promotion of positive role models for women and empowering images and stories about women; Through social media, events, partnerships with community organisations and through the web, the Office of Women s Policy will actively promote and raise the profile of women who are positive role models and promote empowering images and stories about women. This initiative aims to provide positive images and stories of women, particularly to young people, of what women can achieve or can aspire to. OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY 19

22 OFFICE OF WOMEN S POLICY Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women FRAMING THE FUTURE WOMEN S SAFETY HEALTH & WELLBEING ECONOMIC SECURITY LEADERSHIP & PARTICIPATION The government is committed to reducing the incidence of violence against women in the Northern Territory community and seeks to increase the safety of all Territory women in their homes, work places and communities. The government is committed to improved health outcomes for all Northern Territory women. The government is committed to improved economic opportunities, choices and outcomes for all Northern Territory women. The government is committed to increasing the number of women in decision making and leadership roles to increase the influence that women have on the decisions that affect their lives; and that women have every opportunity to realise their full potential and participate in all aspects of Territory life. Implementation of the actions of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children together with the Northern Territory Domestic and Family Violence Reduction Strategy Safety is Everyone s Right. The development of a Northern Territory Sexual Violence Strategy. A focus on the primary prevention of violence through education; increased awareness of the impacts of violence; and changing the behaviours of perpetrators who choose to use violence in relationships Ensuring effective support for women victims and survivors, including those in the Northern Territory justice system A reduction in the incidence of ill health, injury and early death for Northern Territory women through raising awareness and changing behaviours, encouraging Territory women to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. Ensuring equity of access to health services for all Northern Territory women. Access to culturally appropriate health services, health information and health education for all Northern Territory women. Reducing the gender pay gap in the Northern Territory over time. Equal access to employment, education and training for all Northern Territory women. A focus on encouraging women to increase workforce participation, enter non-traditional occupations and business ownership. Increasing options for young mothers to continue their education or skills development. Recognising the issues of maintaining sufficient income and access to employment for older women. Decision making bodies are reflective of the communities that they make decisions for - encourage and promote a gender balance on government and non-government boards and advisory bodies. Provide practical advice and encourage women to put themselves forward for community leadership roles. Implementation of mechanisms for consultation with women to enable them to influence government policy. Implementation of and promotion of mechanisms that recognise, acknowledge and reward the achievements and contribution of women to the Northern Territory. Promotion of positive role models for women and empowering images and stories about women. 20

23 This Policy Framework for Northern Territory Women focusses on the contribution that women make to the Territory and where improvements or changes need to be made to ensure economic, social, and cultural equality between Territory men and women. This is a living document and the Northern Territory community is encouraged to provide feedback and comment regarding issues affecting Territory women to the Office of Women s Policy.

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