We are thrilled to have recently received a Victorian Women’s Trust grant to identify gendered loopholes and gaps in Victorian Legislation in partnership with WIRE.

This grant is thanks to the Fay Marles Sub-Fund so with her recent passing, the focus of this work and importantly subsequent action to close the gaps feels even more critical to ensure her legacy continues.

The project aims to conduct an environmental scan of gendered loopholes and gaps in Victorian legislation to advocate for system improvement and policy change. For example, currently, data on gender representation, such as candidate nominations and elected officials, is not collected by the Victorian Electoral Commission. If it was, relevant data could be monitored and form the basis of future investments and targeted programs to support women in these roles. By identifying loopholes in legislation and policies across Victorian portfolios, gaps can be addressed, and solutions proposed and actioned. This in turn can be replicated nationally facilitating the inclusion of data that can be measured, monitored, and ideally managed.

This project is viewed as an initial stage to address gendered loopholes in legislation.  The project will start with an engagement stage, collaborating with the gender equality sector to identify existing loopholes in legislation and policies, creating an initial database of gendered gaps. This database will inform a final report and recommendations that will in turn form GEN VIC’s advocacy platform for ongoing system reforms.

Already identified gaps or keen to become involved? Please email us at genvic@genvic.org.au

You can learn more about the project and other grant recipients here: Announcing Our 2024-2025 Grantees: An Inspiring Collection of Initiatives for Change – Victorian Women’s Trust