International Women's Day, Melbourne, 1980 International Women's Day march, Sydney, 1996 Reclaim the Night, Sydney, mid-1990s WEL NSW members displaying posters supporting the campaign for paid maternity leave, International Women's Day 2002 (WEL NSW Office) WEL-WA, Palm Sunday Peace March 1985 Eva Cox, at launch of WEL's 2004 federal election campaign. (WEL history collection, photo Gail Radford)

What we do

WEL is a political lobby group, which aims to influence power holders, such as politicians, union leaders, and bureaucrats, to adopt policies that help improve the position of women in society. We focus on issues and policies that most affect women, such as childcare, women’s education, reproductive rights and violence against women.

 

Our lobbying takes on a variety of forms depending on what we think is most strategic.

 

  • We communicate directly to power holders, including government ministers, members of parliament, public servants, educationalists, and union leaders, to persuade them to adopt or support policies that improve the position of women in society;
  • We present well-researched submissions and comments to government ministers, government departments, commissions and statutory bodies to present evidence for why things need to change and how;
  • We communicate our point of view to the public and power holders via the media, workshops, conferences and other public forums about what needs to change; and
  • We work with communities and other organisations to build community campaigns for policy, attitude and societal change.

 

WEL’s Achievements

 

Founded in 1972, WEL is proud of its many years of feminist advocacy and its significant wins for women in Australia. We have played a significant role in important policy changes such as the:

 

  • Passing of equal pay legislation in 1972, which saw women awarded the male rate of pay, no matter what job they performed;
  • Legitimisation, policy development, legislative reform and community education programs on issues such as equal opportunity, sexual harassment and domestic violence;
  • Drafting and implementation of state anti-discrimination and federal sex discrimination legislation; and
  • Rape law reform, which has gradually led to significant amendments to the NSW Crimes Act.

Recent campaigns

 

 

2010 Election

 

WEL has a long history of activism at election time. We see elections as a great opportunity to push political parties to adopt feminist policies and answer to women voters. We distribute information to voters about the implications of policies on women and encourage voters to consider these impacts when they cast their vote, which is embodied in our long-standing slogan, think WEL before you vote.

 

With a federal election looming, WEL is concerned that nobody is discussing how policies will impact upon women. There is too much focus on the “big boys” such as mining companies. While tax is a big issue – the way the tax system for example, makes it harder for women to take up paid work without losing too much of their income or how superannuation leaves women worse off when they retire does not come into the discussion.

 

We are looking for women to take these issues straight to their local members, and make them aware that they are looking for policies that are fair this election – fair for women and fair for society.

 

If you’re interested in taking part, get in touch: kathleen@wel.org.au.

 

Equal Pay campaign


 

WEL has been working with the Australian Services Union (ASU), the union for public service workers, on a campaign to fight for equal pay for women workers. Women working full time, on average, get only 82% of men’s earnings and the gap is increasing. This means that women will have to work 2 months more to earn the same as their male equivalent! To find out more about pay equity and the campaign, click here.