As the largest employer in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest employer of women in the country, the New South Wales (NSW) Government has many levers it can use to influence and drive workplace gender equality outcomes across the state. As an employer, a provider and funder of services, a regulator and legislator, and a procurer of goods and services, government action can be used to promote economic equality for women in NSW.

In the newest JMI Policy Insights Paper published on International Women’s Day, “Building a more equitable future of work for women in NSW: Opportunities for government action,” University of Sydney researchers Professor Elizabeth Hill, Professor Rae Cooper AO, Talara Lee and Dr Suneha Seetahul set out five key areas of government policy, operations and investment that can be leveraged to drive gender equality across the labour market in NSW.

The result of a JMI Policy Challenge Grant, the report includes a review of research on women’s experiences in the labour market and the barriers they face to equitable participation in employment.  “What happens in the NSW economy and labour market matters for the nation… In order to maximise the potential for NSW to deliver economic and social inclusion, it will be crucial to apply a gender lens across the full terrain of government influence,” the authors write.

“We are delighted to launch this report on International Women’s Day, showcasing a powerful example of translating research to support policymakers who want to drive reform,” said Dr Vafa Ghazavi, Executive Director for Research and Policy. “The opportunities for government action identified by the authors have the potential to deliver a lasting positive impact on workplace equality for women in NSW and beyond.”

The policy opportunities identified in the report build on the findings from workshops and consultations with the NSW Government and other key stakeholders in the state.