Women’s Health in the North Inc (the Applicant) has been granted an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) (the Act) to allow WHIN to undertake the following conduct:
advertise for and employ women and gender-diverse people only to work at Women’s Health in the North Inc;
advertise for and employ women and gender-diverse people only of a specified race or ethnic origin, or whose first language is a specified language other than English, to work in the organisation on specific projects targeted at groups of women and gender-diverse people of that race or ethnic origin, or whose first language is that language;
restrict individual membership of the organisation to women and gender diverse people only
require that organisations that are members of the Women’s’ Health in the North Inc be represented at meetings (whether they are present to attend, speak or vote) by women and gender-diverse people only.
“Women and gender-diverse people” include people who identify as women and people whose gender identity does not align with the gender assigned at birth.
“Gender-diverse” is inclusive of trans, non-binary, agender, intersex and other gender diverse individuals.
“Women and gender-diverse people” does not include individuals for whom both their biological and gender identity is male.
In 2023, Women’s Health In the North will be proudly promoting the International Women’s Day (IWD) theme ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future’. For more messaging about this year’s ‘Cracking the Code’ theme, see this two-pager by UN Women Australia.
WHIN is adopting and aligning our theme with two credible, international organisations: UN Women Australia and International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA). Each organisation has a long history of advocating for women’s rights and gender equality internationally with the message ‘women’s rights are human rights’.
IWD was first borne out of labour movements for women’s rights at the turn of the 20th century in North America and across Europe. The social justice movement was grassroots until 1975 (International Women’s Year) when the United Nations adopted IWD on March 8 when it is still held. The IWD movement has since grown in reach and visibility globally to make IWD a central point for action, to build support for women’s rights and their full participation in the economy, politics, community and in everyday life. New research and a campaign by More Voices, More Representation highlights that 7 out of 10 women and gender-diverse people in Australia do not feel represented on IWD. This reinforces the need to align with the above international organisations.
We know that other IWD themes are promoted each year, including one by a corporate entity that has gained huge influence using search engine optimisation. There is no transparency about this organisation/site i.e. information about its origins, funding or whether it has a Board. In this context, WHIN choses to support the work of the international women’s organisations who work to promote the rights of women across the world on IWD – and throughout the year.
As an Incorporated Association, WHIN is a membership-based organisation. Membership is free and available to individuals and organisations. To find out more about becoming a member and to access our online application form, visit our membership page.
Join WHIN today and support your local women’s health service.
