The Office for Women (OFW) is the Australian Government’s central gender equality institution, situated within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Operating from the centre of government, OFW provides leadership to improve the lives of women and advance gender equality, focusing effort across government in line with Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality. OFW has established structures and systems to drive consideration and advancement of women and gender equality across all the Australian Government’s work.
Addressing gender‑based violence is a priority for Australia, given its far‑reaching impacts on safety, wellbeing and economic security. OFW brings a whole-of-government perspective to its efforts. This includes working closely with the Department of Social Services as stewards of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032, and coordinating the Audit of Australian Government Systems to embed safety and remove opportunities for systems abuse.
OFW works with a range of partner organisations to ensure women’s voices are central to policy development. This includes funding:
- the National Women’s Alliances to elevate the voices of women in all their diversity and provide solutions to close gender gaps
- the Working for Women Research Partnership to undertake research that expands and deepens the evidence-base to support gender equality and improve women’s economic equality.
OFW also represents Australia’s advancements for gender equality on an international stage, sharing best practice and learning from others.
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