Gender Equity Victoria – the state’s peak body for gender equity, women’s health and the prevention of violence against women – announced today the appointment of Tanja Kovac as consulting CEO.

“We are delighted that Tanja is joining the GEN VIC team,” said Kit McMahon, Chair of Gender Equity Victoria.

Tanja is a writer, lawyer, philanthropist and Director of her own communication, leadership and justice consultancy, Kovac & Co and above all a committed feminist advocate with over 20 years’ experience in women-based organising and extensive not-for-profit and advocacy experience. Her writing and analysis on gender, politics and social policy has featured in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Crikey, New Matilda, The Drum, The Punch and she is regularly featured on ABC Radio Melbourne.

Tanja began her career as a lawyer at Slater & Gordon acting in a number of high-profile human rights cases, including as part of the legal team assisting Amnesty International in the MV Tampa case.  In 2009, she founded Human Rights are Aussie Rules, a national education program teaching young people about freedom, respect, equality and dignity through sport, working alongside the AFL and others. In 2015 Tanja was Senior Advisor to Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, the late Fiona Richardson and is well versed in all aspects of governance, strategic and operational planning, financial and legal compliance. As a second generation migrant woman, Tanja has a personal understanding of health consequences of new arrivals to Australia and is committed to multi-disciplinary, holistic health and advocacy for women, and other human rights.

“I am very excited to join GEN VIC and be a part of the team to drive the achievement of its strategic goals, build on the great work that the Board and team have already undertaken, and create sustainable change across this great state for the betterment of all Victorians,” Said Kovac.

“It was important to the GEN VIC Board that we secure the talent and skills of Tanja Kovac to support the goals that GEN VIC seeks to achieve in the short to longer term, and also, allows Tanja to continue some of the great work that she is doing across Australia in advancing equality and equity for women,” said McMahon.

“We are looking forward to introducing Tanja to our members and stakeholders in this role and expanding our already great team at GEN VIC,” said McMahon.

-ENDS