While we have seen many advances for women over the years, there is still much to be done to achieve gender equality. Empowering women to live free from violence and to participate fully in social and economic life is critical to achieving equality in our communities.

A number of events will take place throughout March in support of IWD. More information about IWD is available at www.women.nsw.gov.au

Agencies are asked to support IWD in 2012 by recognising the achievements of women in their organisations and in the wider community.

The Office for Women’s Policy, in partnership with other agencies across government, is undertaking a number of initiatives to reduce gender inequality, including:

• developing a Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Framework to reduce violence against women and children,
• increasing women’s representation on Government boards and committees,
• supporting women to pursue all trades, especially those not traditionally adopted by women, and
• publishing a report on the status of women in NSW which will strengthen the evidence base for government, business and community policy initiatives.

Chris Eccles
Director General