Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC) is pleased to present our submission to the 2026-27 Victorian Budget.

Investing in gender equity is not a discretionary choice – it is an economic and social imperative. That’s why our submission emphasises the importance of sustained, long-term government funding to advance gender equity across our state’s communities, services and workplaces.

Programs that prevent gender-based violence, bolster economic participation, strengthen leadership pathways, and enable care and flexibility cannot be switched on and off with budget cycles. When funding is unstable, organisations are forced to divert resources from impact and into survival – undermining outcomes, workforce capability, and accountability.

As a member-based organisation, GEN VIC represents a variety of organisations that are at the frontline of this challenge. We see every day how stable funding enables long-term planning, rigorous evaluation, and deep collaboration with communities, employers, and service systems.

It allows our sector to attract and retain skilled professionals, build evidence-based programs, and scale what works. Conversely, uncertainty erodes impact and weakens the infrastructure needed to deliver government priorities.

Evidence consistently shows that investing in gender equity delivers strong returns. Increased workforce participation and leadership diversity drive productivity and innovation.

Sustainable funding is therefore not a cost to be managed, but a valuable investment in our collective prosperity.

Read our submission to the 2026-27 Victorian Budget here.