A $5 million push to boost gender equality and diversity in Australian politics

We're pleased to announce our new project to boost representation and gender diversity in Australian politics. Supported by a $5 million ‘Women in Public Office’ (WIPO) federal grant, The Global Institute for Women's Leadership will be part of a national consortium of leading gender-specialist organisations, led by Women for Election, to demystify the political system and support women and gender diverse people into politics across every state and territory in Australia, with a particular focus on regional and remote communities. The program will explain the political process, equip participants from a range of backgrounds with practical campaigning tools and build the confidence necessary to step into the political spotlight at all levels of government.

Women for Election CEO, Licia Heath says "Any woman or non-binary person who has thought they could make a difference or been told by those close to them they would make a great elected representative, this is your chance to begin the journey.”

More than 4,000 women and gender diverse people nationwide will directly benefit from this program, which will include place-based training events, online training forums, and a tech-based training platform containing candidate resources and support forums.

Consortium partners include Politics in Colour, Australian Local Government Women's Association, Ruth McGowan Pty Ltd, and Quantum Impact Group Pty Ltd. The consortia arrangement brings a breadth of experience, community connections and cultural expertise to the project and GIWL's role will be to provide evidence-based, research led, strategic support to the program.