Gen-Vic Calls for female-focused budget as women face financial gender disaster

16th August 2020

Our campaign had a big win with the article “Calls for female-focused budget as women face financial 'gender disaster” publicised on the front page of The Age. It focused on our 10 Things Government Can Do Now to address the gendered impacts of COVID19, specifically our call to get gender equality investment Back on Track, ensuring that all rebuild efforts and investment apply a gender lens so that women and men benefit equally from the long journey towards recovery.

The article has sent alarm bells across Victoria where many advocates and citizens are now realising that women are severely impacted by COVID19, at a rate in employment, care work and mental health that is unmatched my men. The article details ABS data showing that women's full-time unemployment rate is 8.7 per cent, far higher than men's at 6.1 per cent – that’s women’s job losses at nearly five times the rate of men.

The article reported on GEN VIC’s call for the Victorian government to fund a gender equity budget group, comprising of experts from industry, academy and the private sector including feminist economists, to support and guide treasury to implement gender responsive budgeting. The article focused on the group as a way to provide targeted economic stimulus and initiatives to assist women who have lost jobs and micro-enterprises. Read more about GEN VIC’s proposed gender equity budget group here.

This article means that our work is gaining momentum. We are having an impact. However, we are still waiting on the Victorian government to adequately commit to a gender equal recovery, and with that, gender responsive budgeting. GEN VIC will continue to advocate to the state Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and State Treasurer Tim Pallas to commit to gender responsive budgeting and fund a gender equity budget group for a gender equal recovery, but we also need your ongoing help and support.

For now, we are asking that you share the article on your social media and tag @AusGov, @JoshFrydenberg, @VicGovAu and @timpallas calling for gender responsive budgeting as essential to a gender equal response to COVID19.

If you haven’t had a chance to yet read our submission to the PAEC Inquiry into the Victorian Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, “Gender, Disaster & Resilience: A gender equal road to recovery” please do so, and to get in touch if you have any questions.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication.

Best regards,

GEN VIC Team