"Australian Perspectives on Gender Equality: A Critical Juncture"

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Key Points

A new survey found strong community support and positive views towards gender equality
Results also indicated gaps between perception of equality and reality.
Plan International are set to launch a guide on communication about gender equality.

Australians are divided when it comes to attitudes on gender equality, with some believing women have access to the same choices and opportunities as men and others saying there is more work to be done.

A survey of 2048 Australians aged 16 and older found strong community support and positive views towards a gender-equal society.

According to the Plan International Australia Gender Compass, 90 per cent of respondents said gender equality was important to them and agreed people should be treated with equal respect and dignity no matter their gender.

The survey found 75 per cent of people were open to discussing gender equality and related topics at work while 62 per cent believed everyone would benefit if women had access to the same rights and opportunities as men.

But the findings also indicated a concerning gap between perception and reality regarding gender equality in Australia, Plan International Australia chief executive Susanne Legena said.

“While 60 per cent of people believe we are close to or have already achieved gender equality, real-world data on the gender pay gap, workplace discrimination and under-representation of women in leadership tell a different story,” she said.

“The fact that 50 per cent of Australians believe women are treated fairly in most areas of life ignores persistent challenges such as unpaid labour disparities, gender-based violence on our streets and in our homes and systemic barriers in career advancement.”

The survey also suggested Australia has a way to go to achieve gender equality, with 30 per cent of respondents saying there is a war on men.

People walking holding sign that says 'We walked off the job for equal pay'

A 2018 rally in Sydney calling for equal pay for early childhood educators and women. Source: Twitter / Twitter/TWUAus

Less than 60 per cent supported transgender and non-binary people having the same rights, opportunities and outcomes as cisgender people.

“We now find ourselves at a pivotal moment in time, where backlash against gender equality, cuts to global aid, escalating humanitarian crises and political and economic instability are rolling back decades of hard-won progress,” Legena said.

“In Australia, we’re seeing rising rhetoric against diversity, equity and inclusion policies and a growing resistance to the notion of gender equality as a fundamental human right.”

With the research results, Plan International will launch a messaging guide to support leaders and organisations to effectively communicate about gender equality.

Legena said she hoped more men would be brought into the conversation.

“We do have to do better to write men and boys into the gender equality story,” she said.

“People don’t want anything that pits men against women — they want solutions that can build a positive future that is inclusive and benefits everyone.”

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