Women and Girls: Building Pathways to Equality

Founded by women, led by women, and supporting women across Australia, we understand firsthand the barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential.

Despite significant progress, women in Australia still face substantial inequalities:

• Lower financial security and lifetime earnings
• Limited representation in leadership positions
• Reduced access to career advancement opportunities
• Higher rates of domestic and family violence

For women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds—including migrants and refugees—these challenges are often compounded by additional barriers such as language difficulties, credential recognition issues, social isolation, and cultural barriers to accessing services.

Research consistently shows that women’s success and wellbeing depend on four key foundations:

Safe and stable housing
A secure home provides the foundation for everything else—safety, stability for children, and the ability to pursue education and employment.

Economic independence
Access to meaningful employment, fair wages, and career progression opportunities that allow women to support themselves and their families, including flexible work arrangements that acknowledge women’s disproportionate role in unpaid care work and enable them to balance caring responsibilities.

Freedom from violence
Safety in homes, workplaces, and communities, along with support systems that help women escape dangerous situations.

Voice and representation
Opportunities to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives, from local community groups to positions of leadership.

We don’t just talk about change-we’re actively creating it. Our Gender Equity Strategy focuses on transforming lives through practical action and gender justice initiatives.

1. Supporting our female staff with career development, leadership opportunities, and workplace flexibility, role modelling best practice for the sector
2. Supporting our female clients through targeted programs and culturally appropriate services
3. Advocating for systemic change that benefits all women in multicultural communities

SSI offers a range of programs specifically designed to address the challenges women and girls face:

• Find services near you
• Volunteer or support our work
• Professional seeking to collaborate

As individuals, we can all contribute to advancing women’s equality by:

• Challenging unconscious bias in our workplaces and communities
• Supporting women-led businesses and organisations
• Advocating for policies that promote gender equality
• Mentoring and sponsoring women in our networks

As an organisation, SSI is committed to:

• Implementing evidence-based programs that address root causes of inequality
• Measuring and reporting on our progress transparently
• Continuously learning and adapting our approaches based on community feedback

Want to learn more about our specific initiatives and progress? Read our Gender Equity Strategy in full or explore our latest impact report in our resources below.

To get involved or learn about our programs and services, email info@ssi.org.au.