Australian Education Union

Women's Focus

Introduction

Women are around 70% of the AEU's total membership. The AEU has a long history of focussing on issues of particular concern to women and recognises the need to protect past achievements and to build on them in the interests of gender equity and social justice. The page tells you about our policies, priorities and campaigns of particular concern to women.

The AEU acknowledges that despite the majority women enjoy within the education sector, women are still faced with barriers, (promotional and otherwise) discrimination and challenges based on gender. We therefore maintain an integral level of advocacy, support and campaigning around issues that effect women in education, via a women's program. And we demand equality of realities as well as opportunities for women within all areas of our profession.

At the Federal level, key aspects of the AEU Women's program include the annual Federal Women's Conference, the development of national policies and strategies, and participating in the work of the ACTU Women's Committee and other relevant organisations and activities. Women's Officers from the Branches/Associated Bodies form the Federal Women's Committee which has responsibility with the Federal Women's Officer for organising the annual AEU Federal Women's Conference.

Each of the Branches and Associated Bodies of the AEU has a Women's Officer who coordinates the women's program within their state/territory. You can access more information about activities in your state/territory.

What's New

AEU Federal Women's Conference 2011 - will be held 8-9 October. Papers and further information can be found here.

Work/Family Balance - updated information about the Federal Paid Parental Leave Scheme

The AEU is Campaigning for Pay Equity - See here for updates on the Equal Pay Case

Violence Prevention - How workplaces can positively respond to family violence

2011 Rosemary Richards Scholarship - nominations are now closed.

AEU celebrates the 100^th International Women's Day this March 8^th

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8^th across the world.

IWD is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements, regardless of divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women. This year in Australia, the International Women's Day theme is "Celebrating 100 years" and to mark this special occasion, the Federal Government with UNIFEM has created the comprehensive website http://www.internationalwomensday.org.au/ which contains kits for schools and communities to join the celebration of this important milestone.

The kit for schools, can be found here.

Other material to assist educators involve students and their colleagues can be found on the AEU's IWD page.

For a kit to assist the organisation of community events see "Find out more information on how you can become involved in IWD 2010".

Importantly, Education International this January held its inaugural World Women's Conference (a report can be found here).

This video from the conference emphasises the power of education for girls and women and why there is still so much to be done by why education unions play a critical part in succeeding. Please also see the Global Action Week website to prepare for activities in May in support of the Education for All campaign which will promote the powerful educational experiences of women and girls globally and within Australia.

Female Genital Mutilation
The Australian Education Union expresses shock at the consideration being given by Australian doctors to perform Female Genital Mutilation. It is a breach of human rights, it is child abuse and it is illegal in Australia for good reason.

AEU policy is clear. “In the case of human rights abuses associated with Female Genital Mutilation there can be no equivocation.”

We urge the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians to abandon the notion of assisting in (and legitimising) this barbaric practice and instead join with the community in a renewed effort to condemn, oppose and stop FGM.

AEU Girls Tool Kit

Body Image – found to continually be of concern for AEU members, this section has a series of resources from across the country

Policies

Submissions

Conferences

Federal Government Financial Advice for Women

International

Australian Human Rights Commission and 25th birthday of the Sex Discrimination Act

TAFE Women's Committee

Local Branch and Associated Body Activities/Campaigns

Rosemary Richards Scholarship

Nominations are re-opened until 1st July 2011.

"Generation Next", Article from Australian Educator, Summer 2007

Campaigns

Gender Equity - Boys' Education and Male Teachers

Women in TAFE - other information.

Women @ Unions The AEU has produced "Women @ Unions" a template for change which seeks to give a feminist perspective to the ACTU "Unions @ Work".

"Building the foundations of our future" This also includes an article by Michaela Kronemann and the Executive Summary.

Information and Resources

Body Image

The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed a series of Education Resources which members may find useful.

Specific information exists for students on gender and Workplace Issues including:

  -	Sexual Harassment

  -	Pregnant and Productive: It's a right not a privilege to work while pregnant

  -	Stretching Flexibility: Enterprise Bargaining, Women Workers and Changes to Working Hours

  -	The Equal Pay Handbook

  -	Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: Barriers to the careers of women

There is also a specific Getting to Know the Sex Discrimination Act: A guide for young women which contains a lot of useful information around gender equality.

Australian Catholic University Parental Leave Agreement

New Zealand Introduces Paid Maternity leave

Conferences

2010 Federal Women's Conference

AEU Federal Women's Conference (prior to 2010)

ACTU Congress/Women's Congress

Policies

Gender Equity (as adopted at Federal Executive, May 2008)
Women in Education (as adopted at 2008 Annual Federal Conference)

International

On 18 December 2008 the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Government Office for Women released Women's Human Rights, an educational kit of fact sheets about the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

AEU celebrates the 100th International Women's Day this March 8th
International Women's Day
Australian Human Rights Commission
UNIFEM
Alisi Fusi Wightman Scholarship - Council of Pacific Island Education (COPE) support for women
APHEDA beer girls campaign

Local Branch and Associated Body Activities/Campaigns

This page last updated 27 June 2011

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