About us
- Minister for Women
- Office for Women Strategic Directions 2009-2010
- Our vision
- Who we are
- What we do
- Resources we provide
- Office for Women recognised at 2008 Premier’s Excellence Awards
Office for Women Strategic Directions 2009-2010
The Office for Women is changing the way it works to improve the status of women in Queensland. Read about the Office for Women Strategic Directions 2009-2010.
Our vision
The Queensland of the future is a place where Queenslanders balance work, family and lifestyle and women and men share caring roles in their families and communities.
It is a place where society's diversity is celebrated, women's rights, interests and wellbeing are promoted, and men and women enjoy equal opportunity and participation.
Who we are
The Office for Women is part of the Queensland Government and plays a central role in carrying out the government's vision for the women of Queensland.
Through our policy work and program delivery, we aim to promote and encourage the rights of all Queensland women - across cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and age groups.
At the core of our work is the ongoing challenge to remove the barriers that stop women from fully participating in society.
What we do
We advise the Queensland Government on ways to address inequity, disadvantage and under-representation for women. We do this by working with other government agencies, the community, educational institutions and industry partners on a wide range of issues affecting women's status in Queensland.
One of our key roles is to assist Queensland Government agencies to develop policies and programs that provide more equitable outcomes for women and men. Gender analysis is the methodology we use to develop and deliver strategies that address the needs of Queensland women.
Through the employment of regional officers, we identify issues and opportunities for women throughout Queensland by linking closely with regional community organisations, and local and state government agencies.
We influence government decision making and educate the wider public about issues specific to women, by producing policies, information papers and fact sheets about issues that Queensland women tell us are important to them.
To assist women develop the skills they need to remove their personal barriers to participation, we work with other organisations to conduct seminars and training courses on a range of topics each year.
We also work with industry to encourage fair working conditions and increase the number of women moving into non-traditional areas of employment.
Specialist policy officers in the Office for Women research trends and find ways to address inequity, disadvantage and under-representation. These policy officers provide advice from a whole-of-government perspective.
We reach across the state with Women's Infolink, our free information and referral service, on 1800 177 577.
Our Find a Service searchable database ensures that women always have access to the information and services they need, whether in times of crisis or in everyday life.
The Office for Women supports the Minister for Women, the Honourable Karen Struthers MP, as Queensland's representative on the Ministerial Council on the Status of Women, providing a voice for Queensland women in the national arena.
Office for Women recognised at 2008 Premier's Excellence Awards
The Premier's Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management are designed to recognise and encourage outstanding individuals and teams who exemplify the Queensland Government's commitment to a world-class, innovative and agile public sector.
On 9 December 2008, at a ceremony at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, South Bank, the Office for Women received recognition for its contribution to building Queensland's economy.
A finalist in the 'Growing Queensland's economy' category, the Office for Women was Highly Commended for helping to address skills shortages and boosting the State's economic capacity by increasing female participation in non-traditional industries.
Women in non-traditional industries' project team, from left (back row): Kylie Stephen, Louise Gorman, Chris Figg, Mabbie Elson, Karin Finsterle, Bouwke Boerema, Cara Rothery, Paul Hardwicke, Nusch Herman, Lisa Symons, and (front row) Alexandra Winter, Nicki Trenham and Sally Queitzsch. (Absent: Meridy Garnsworthy and Nicole Hunter)Under the Women in Hard Hats initiative and the Smart Women - Smart State Science, Engineering and Technology Action Plan (2006 - 2009), the Office for Women demonstrated success in ensuring that Queensland has the labour market needed for continued expansion, and given women access to a greater range of career options.
The commendation recognised the Office for Women's achievements in:
- promoting careers in non-traditional industries to girls and women throughout Queensland
- engaging with industry and employers to promote the benefits of a diverse workforce
- delivering initiatives, in partnership with regional women and employers, that address local economic and employment needs.
These achievements have contributed to increased female participation in the State's mining, construction, science, engineering and technology industries.
Photograph by Tony Phillips for the Queensland Government
Women in non-traditional industries' project team accepting Premiers Excellence Award, from left: Cara Rothery, Nicki Trenham, Karin Finsterle, Lisa Symons, Louise Gorman, Sally Queitzsch, Meridy Garnsworthy, Kylie Stephen, Alexandra Winter and Anna Bligh MP, Premier of Queensland. (Absent team members Chris Figg, Mabbie Elson, Bouwke Boerema, Paul Hardwicke, Nusch Herman and Nicole Hunter)Visit the 2008 Premier's Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management for more information.
More information
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Last updated: 30 July 2009
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