Women and girls
Introduction
Australia’s Global Ambassador for Women and Girls, Penny Williams, works to ensure the empowerment of women and girls is a central focus of Australia’s diplomatic, development and defence concerns. By advocating internationally for women’s equal participation in political, economic and social affairs, the Ambassador advances global progress, peace and stability.
The Office of the Global Ambassador for Women and Girls was established by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and then Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis in September 2011. The creation of the Global Ambassador position reflects the Australian Government’s active commitment in the international arena – and with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region – to promote gender equality and to give women a stronger voice in the world.
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Office of the Global Ambassador for Women and Girls
In cooperation with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Government Office for Women, the Global Ambassador for Women and Girls engages in international advocacy in support of Australian Government policies and programs to:
- empower women and girls socially, politically and economically
- eradicate violence against women and girls
- eliminate discrimination against women and girls
- ensure better educational and health (including sexual and maternal health) opportunities and outcomes for women and girls
- eradicate trafficking in women and girls
- protect women and girls in conflict and promote the role of women in peace-building, and
- enhance the participation of women in decision-making and leadership.
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Appointment of Australia's first Global Ambassador for Women and Girls, Parliament House, Canberra, 13 September 2011. (L-R: Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles, Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis, Ambassador Penny Williams, Mathilda Langman.)
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Ambassador Penny Williams is welcomed by residents of Torba province during a field visit to Vanuatu in October 2011.
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Ambassador Penny Williams meeting the Australian Girls Choir during the United Nations General Assembly committee meetings New York, September 2011
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Ambassador Penny Williams at the opening of the Australia-US Pacific Women's Empowerment Policy Dialogue, Parliament House, Canberra, 2 November 2011. (L-R: Debbie Bowman, AusAID, Dorosday Kenneth Dhressen, Ministry of Justice, Vanuatu, Ambassador Penny Williams, Felicity Volk, Adviser, Office of the Global Ambassador for Women and Girls.)
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Ambassador Penny Williams speaking at a roundtable meeting of women police officers at the Vanuatu Police Training College, Port Vila, Vanuatu, October 2011.