Not all people will be impacted by policies in the same way because of their gender. Gender inequality is experienced differently by different people. A guiding principle of Working for Women is that efforts to drive gender equality must be inclusive and intersectional. An intersectional approach (see Glossary) recognises that a person’s experience of exclusion or disadvantage is shaped by the interaction of multiple characteristics and circumstances, such as age, race, disability, income, sexual orientation, gender identity or geographic location. This can result in overlapping and interdependent discrimination or disadvantage for a person or community.
It is important to take an intersectional approach to gender analysis, using data and evidence to examine the complexity and diversity of people’s experiences. This provides insight into the systemic and cultural causes of inequality, which then provides the basis for policy solutions that are culturally appropriate, accessible, equitable, evidence based and targeted to need.
The collection and use of disaggregated data that captures a range of circumstances and characteristics is a priority for intersectional gender analysis. It provides a clearer picture of how different characteristics affect people throughout their lives, and of inequalities or gaps between groups. Stakeholder feedback and qualitative evidence are also valuable sources of evidence and can inform gender analysis, particularly where data is limited. Suggested data sources are available at Appendix B.
Example: Incorporating First Nations gendered perspectives
A guiding principle of Working for Women is that efforts to drive gender equality for First Nations Australians must be led by First Nations Australians. The strategy includes evidence of First Nations women’s experiences and outlines actions to drive change to improve gender equality, responding to the priorities and perspectives of First Nations women.
The Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) Report (2020) (WYUT) is the first national report in more than 3 decades where First Nations women and girls have been heard as a collective on the issues that matter to them. The report is a rich source of evidence that captures the diverse voices and aspirations of women and girls, and is an important resource to inform policy across all portfolios, at all levels of government.
The 4 Priority Reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap are all relevant to First Nations women. The reforms are: formal partnerships and shared decision making; building the community-controlled sector; transforming government organisations; and shared access to data and information at a regional level.
Key considerations in designing policy that incorporates a First Nations gendered perspective include:
- use strengths based language and seek to incorporate First Nations women’s knowledge, skills and expertise
- engage in deep listening and respectful communication to understand multiple points of view from First Nations women
- capture the voices of First Nations people from all relevant intersectional perspectives
- consider the historical and contemporary contexts of the issue and how the policy will interact with other policies and programs in place
- ensure the policy is healing-informed by considering the structural drivers and root causes of harms and inequalities and ensuring the proposal is culturally-safe and trauma-informed
- consider how the policy outcomes will be sustained and how it will maximise the contribution of First Nations women and communities, and build capacity in First Nations organisations and businesses
- consider the long-term vision of the policy, including how it provides employment or business development opportunities for First Nations women or uses First Nations organisations in the supply chain.
Key data sources include: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, Indigenous Data Network (IDN).
For further guidance and information on First Nations Impact Assessments please contact National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) at womenspolicy@niaa.gov.au or FirstNationsImpacts@niaa.gov.au.
Example: Women and housing - intersectional analysis in practice
Housing costs as a proportion of disposable income have increased over the last 20 years, with women experiencing disproportionate impacts of high housing costs due to the gender pay, lifetime superannuation savings and earning gaps, the high proportion of single parent households headed by women, and gender-based violence. These housing challenges are particularly acute for older women and women fleeing violence who are more vulnerable to homelessness, First Nations women (39% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander renting householders were in rental stress1), women with disabilities (36% of social housing households had at least one person with disability2), and single mothers (who experienced homelessness and marginal housing at almost four times the national average3).
References
- Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices): Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future Report (2020).Return to footnote 1 ↩
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) People with disability in Australia 2024, catalogue number DIS 72, AIHW, Australian Government.Return to footnote 2 ↩
- Sebastian, A (2023) Navigating turbulence: COVID and beyond for Australian single mothers. Report of a 2022 national survey by the Council of Single Mothers and their Children.Return to footnote 3 ↩