Women's services

Women make up just over half of the Queensland population at 50.2 percent, although the ratio of gender balance differs according to where people live across the state. Despite this, gender inequality persists across our communities. Women still face signficant barriers to full participation in the social, economic and cultural opportunities of Queensland society. Addressing gender inequality benefits everyone in the community. Some significant areas of inequality include:

• The pay gap between men and women in Queensland is unacceptably high at 18 percent;
• Women are less likely to be in positions of leadership (including boards of managment); 
• Women are more likely to work in a narrow field of lower paid occupations;
• Women are primarily responsible for unpaid domestic work and caring for dependants;
• Women are the primary victims of domestic and family violence, sexual offences, and stalking.

QCOSS has also undertaken work to understand the wellbeing of Queenslanders and highlighting the experiences of women through a range of indicators including: Safe, Healthy, Adequate standard of living, Personal Relationships, Community Connections, Achieving in life and Secure for the Future.

The Queensland Women’s Strategy 2016-21 provides a framework for action to achieve gender equality in Queensland with a range of priority areas, including: 

• Participation and leadership
• Economic security
• Safety
• Health and wellbeing

Queensland is home to the first peak body in Australia, Ending Violence Against Women Queensland (EVAWQ), that provides a united voice across all three areas of the women's sector: Sexual violence, Women's health and Domestic and Family Violence.