NCJWA VIC Advocacy

Victorian Government leads the way on Gender Equality

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 09:09:19 GMT

The National Council of Jewish Women Australia (Victoria) celebrates the Victorian government’s initiative to make its public sector accountable on gender equality.

The Gender Equality Bill introduced into Victorian Parliament this week, is the first attempt to enshrine gender equality into Australian law. When enacted, 300 employers and 380,000 employees will be affected. The Victorian public service, local councils, universities, TAFEs, Victoria Police, Court Services Victoria and the Office of Public Prosecutions will all have to become more gender equal through targets, action plans and reporting.

Given the 14.1% gender pay gap, that women are doing 63% of the state’s unpaid work and that one in two mothers reported experiencing workplace discrimination as a result of pregnancy, parental leave or on return to work, the case for action is acutely clear. The legislation is aimed at closing the gender pay gap, removing barriers to progression for women and reducing the risk of "retirement poverty" for women, while boosting opportunities for men to work flexibly.

We applaud the Victorian Government’s bold initiative which aims to address the structural and systemic issues that perpetuate gender inequality. The Bill demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the public sector takes proactive steps to promote and realise gender equality.

We stand with the Victorian Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams who said “We’re making history and making gender equality a non-negotiable by law because it’s 2019 and women and girls deserve every opportunity to succeed”.

The National Council of Jewish Women Australia (Victoria) is an organisation committed to advancing the status of all women and girls. We champion gender equality through advocacy and activism, such as our #MakeSpaceForHer campaign. We are currently trying to achieve gender equality in Jewish communal leadership and representation.

We believe that the Victorian government’s gender equality strategy and in particular its Gender Equality Bill is an important step to ensure sustained and measurable action and cultural change.

Advocacy Subcommittee

National Council of Jewish Women Australia (Victoria)

Paul Hamer MP Supporting Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 10:01:11 GMT

Thank you Paul Hamer MP for supporting NCJWA VIC Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer

Josh Burns MP Supporting Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer

Sat, 31 Aug 2019 00:37:23 GMT

Thank you Josh Burns MP for publishing a supporting statement, calling community organisations to adapt NCJWA VIC Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer.

Tim Wilson MP Supporting Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer

Sat, 31 Aug 2019 00:34:49 GMT

Thank you Tim Wilson MP for publishing a supporting statement, calling community organisations to adapt NCJWA VIC Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer.

David Southwick MP Supporting Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 09:58:30 GMT

Thank you David Southwick MP for publishing a supporting statement, calling community organisations to adapt NCJWA VIC Gender Equality Pledge #MakeSpaceForHer.

#MakeSpaceForHer - Gender Equality Pledge

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 05:44:41 GMT

Did you see the Australian Jewish News this week?

There was a report on our campaign: #MakeSpaceForHer.

#MakeSpaceForHer is aimed at ensuring Jewish women in Victoria are equally represented in leadership positions within our community and participate equally in community events. This special issue on women in the community included: front page article on NCJWA Vic’s Gender Equality Pledge; an article by Nina Bassat, one of our wise women, discussing the role of women-power in out community; an opinion piece: It’s Time to Actively Seek out Female Leadership by Advocacy Committee member, Renee Zelwer; an article on The Evolution of Our Women’s Organisations by Rebecca Davis; a bio of Governance & Risk Committee member, Lexi Kowal; and Rebecca Davis’ Writing Women into the Past – and the Future – based on her introduction to the 2019 NCJWA Vic Mina Fink Lecture.

NCJWA VIC APPLAUDS JCCV & AUJS FOR THEIR GENDER EQUALITY POLICIES

Office NCJWA VIC — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 07:52:11 GMT

The mission of the National Council of Jewish Women Australia (Victoria) is to create a better world for women and girls. It recognises that women and girls are among the world’s most underutilised resources and that only with the achievement of gender equality can a country, community or economy achieve its full potential. Gender equality will improve freedom, democracy, prosperity, and peace.

To achieve gender equality, women and girls must be given the same rights and opportunities enjoyed by men across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision making. The behaviours, needs, and aspirations of women and girls need to be respected and valued as much as those of men.

NCJWA VIC is developing a strategy to promote gender equality throughout the Victorian Jewish community. It wishes to consult and collaborate with Jewish organisations to gain their commitment to and implementation of gender equality practices. NCJWA Vic applauds organisations including the Jewish Community Council of Victoria and the Australian Union of Jewish Students who have already pledged to achieve gender equality in their elected representatives and, in the case of AUJS, in presenters at all its public forums. We commend JCCV, AUJS and other organisations who have made similar commitments on setting a great example to advance gender equality and hope more community organisations implement gender equality practices in the near future.

If you have any questions or would like more information about advancing gender equality practices in your organisation, please contact Anna Serry, Chair of the NCJWA Vic Advocacy Subcommittee anna.serry@ncjwavic.org.au.

20 November 2018

No Voice, No Vote: The back story to Neta Ziv's Fanny Reading Lecture

Office NCJWA VIC — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 03:06:13 GMT

No voice, no vote

Denying political representation to over half a million Haredi women in Israel is unacceptable in 2018

Neta Ziv

When I moved to Israel 20 years ago, I assumed that the idea of women fighting for the right to hold political office was a debate safely in the history books. Surely this is not relevant today. Yet it was only recently did I realize how wrong I had been.

Continue reading on Neta Ziv's blog

NCJWA Statement on QLD Parliamentary vote to decriminalise abortion

Office NCJWA VIC — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 22:19:25 GMT

JEWISH WOMEN SUPPORT THE QUEENSLAND ABORTION VOTE

The National Council of Jewish Women of Australia congratulates the Queensland Parliament on its historic vote on 17 October 2018 to decriminalise abortion in that state.

With the passage of the Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018, abortion will become legal until 22 weeks gestation, and after that with the approval of two doctors.

Safe access zones will restrict protesters and people who harass women from coming within 150 metres of abortion clinics. The rights of choice based on religious beliefs are also protected.

NCJWA applauds that termination will be treated in Queensland as a health issue and not a criminal matter and that women can safely and legally access full reproductive healthcare, without being harassed or intimidated.

NCJWA is committed to advocating for human rights, including women’s reproductive rights and the freedom of women to have control over their bodies and their lives.

Divorce in Australian & Jewish Law : NCJWA Shadow Report to CEDAW

Office NCJWA VIC — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 23:22:14 GMT

NCJWA Shadow Report to CEDAW

This week the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women will consider Australia's compliance with the UN Women's Convention.

NCJWA submitted a shadow report on the issue of agunot/gett refusal to the committee.

Access the report here

Gett-Refusal, Jewish Divorce and Family Law: Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission

Office NCJWA VIC — Sun, 06 May 2018 23:23:42 GMT

GETT-REFUSAL, JEWISH DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW:

A submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission

Prepared by Talya Faigenbaum and Dr Ann Wollner

On behalf of

Unchain My Heart Incorporated Inc and

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia Ltd

Available Here

REPORT: Past Achievements and Future Directions of Women's and Feminist Organizations in Israel

Office NCJWA VIC — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 22:40:47 GMT

Read Now

NCJWA Statement on Malka Leifer Case

Office NCJWA VIC — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 22:25:11 GMT

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN OF AUSTRALIA STATEMENT ON MALKA LEIFER

We are deeply disappointed at the release of Malka Leifer from detention to house arrest. It has been claimed that her detention was “humiliating” for Ms Leifer. It is the humiliation and hurt of her alleged victims that matters. They have a right to have their accusations heard in legal proceedings. We call for the Israeli justice system to expedite the return of Ms Leifer to Australia to face charges of sexual abuse.

Statement on Same Sex Marriage

Office NCJWA VIC — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 23:27:03 GMT

National Council of Jewish Women of Australia supports same sex marriage as part of its stand against discrimination. Based on the human right to equality, we believe that civil marriage under the Marriage Act should be available to all people, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliations and beliefs. We agree with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry that amending the definition of marriage in Australian civil law will not affect religious freedoms for those who believe in the traditional definition of marriage.

We encourage our members and community to take part in the plebiscite and promote equality and reduce discrimination. It is our hope that Australia will join the growing list of over 20 countries around the world where same sex marriage is legally recognized, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, in order to create a modern, fair and just society.

Victoria Nadel & Sylvia Deutsch OAM
Acting National Co-Presidents

Miriam Bass, President & Board
NCJWA (Vic) Inc