Investing in women’s entrepreneurship
Globally the number of female entrepreneurs continues to rise. Approximately 126 million women around the world now own a business.
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Creating better quality jobs for women
We work in partnership with countries in the Indo-Pacific region to improve access to better quality jobs so women and girls can gain more from participating in the economy.
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Bringing equality to the coffee industry in Papua New Guinea
Women work longer hours than men in coffee production but receive, on average, less than one-third of the income earned.
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Promoting women’s participation in building rural roads in Timor-Leste
Effective infrastructure attracts commercial investment by reducing transportation costs and improving access to labour and materials.
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Gender equality

Australia's Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment strategy applies across all work undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, The Honorable Dr Sharman Stone, works to ensure that gender equality and empowerment of women and girls is a central focus of Australia's diplomatic, development and regional security efforts.

The Ambassador for Women and Girls advocates internationally for women's equal participation in political, economic and social affairs. The Ambassador advances global development, peace and stability by promoting gender equality and women's leadership and decision-making at all levels.

Visit the Ambassador for Women and Girls photo gallery

Events

International Women's Day

A message from Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, The Honorable Dr Sharman Stone, to mark International Women’s Day 2017.

The honourable Dr Sharman Stone became Australia's third Ambassador for Women and Girls on February 15, 2017.

Office of the Ambassador for Women and Girls

In cooperation with the Australian Government Office for Women, the Ambassador for Women and Girls engages in international advocacy in support of Australian Government policies and programs to:

Promote gender equality
empower women and girls socially, politically and economically
eradicate violence against women and girls
eliminate discrimination against women and girls
ensure better educational and health (including sexual and maternal health) opportunities and outcomes for women and girls
eradicate trafficking in women and girls
protect women and girls in conflict and promote the role of women in peace-building, and;
enhance the participation of women in decision-making and leadership.

The Office of the Ambassador for Women and Girls was established by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, former Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and former Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis in September 2011. Ms Penny Williams was Australia's first Ambassador for Women and Girls. The creation of the Ambassador position reflects the Australian Government's active commitment to promote gender equality and to give women a stronger voice, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Visit the photo gallery of the previous Ambassador for Women and Girls