News
Time for some home truths about sexual harassment
The following opinion piece by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins was published in the Age newspaper on May 3, 2018 It’s time for some home truths about how we are talking about and dealing with sexual harassment cases. We need to stop talking about so-called ‘‘hush money’’ and refocus...
Fourth National Survey on workplace sexual harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission has begun the fourth national survey into workplace sexual harassment. The Commission has undertaken regular surveys on workplace sexual harassment since 2002. The Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said the next iteration of the world-leading survey...
AHRC to review residential colleges at the University of New England
The Australian Human Rights Commission will conduct an independent review of residential colleges at the University of New England (UNE) in the regional centre of Armidale, NSW. The University has seven residential colleges, currently home to approximately 1800 students. The Australian Human Rights...
Sex Discrimination Commissioner delivers 2018 Pamela Denoon Lecture
2018 Pamela Denoon Lecture, ANU Monday 5th March 2018 Good evening. I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and paying my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. I would also like to acknowledge both the organisers of this event and the...
Appalling behaviour at university residential colleges
As students and staff around Australia return to university, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins is urging Australian universities to continue the work needed to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults on campus. “Since the release of the landmark Change the course: National...
National Press Club speech - Kate Jenkins
‘Accelerating change: gender equality from the household to the workplace’ Kate Jenkins Sex Discrimination Commissioner Australian Human Rights Commission National Press Club 20 April 2016 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Custodians and First...
Brigidine College Address - 2nd Wave Feminism
I start by acknowledging the traditional owners, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. I am pleased to be here with you today, the day before International Women’s Day…and I wish you as young women all the best for that day, and all the best for the many life decisions that you will make as you...
Australasian Law Reform Agencies Conference
Domestic and family violence and human rights - We all have a right to live our lives free from violence, especially in our relationships, our families and in our homes.
Achieving a Gender Equal World
Over the last 7 years I have become more and more convinced of one thing - this is my second theme. To deliver equality for women we need to focus on men. We need men taking the message of gender equality to other men. It’s not about men speaking for women or saving women. We can take care of ourselves, thank you very much. It is about men stepping up beside us, working in partnership with us, so that promoting women’s leadership becomes everyone’s business. It’s about men as equal partners with us in ensuring that the WEPs come to life to transform our businesses and communities to move us to a world where – power and leadership is shared equally between men and women.
Women of Influence Awards
Thank you Brian and Westpac and Greg and Fairfax for conceiving and sponsoring these awards. The WOI awards not only lift the visibility of female leaders, but provide a crucial platform for women to expand their influence – and in so doing create a more gender equal Australia. And for that I am very grateful. Thank you.
Removing barriers - creating solutions for discrimination related to pregnancy and return to work after parental leave
Increasing women’s workforce participation: Barriers and solutions from the G20 and beyond -Governments of Australia, Japan and Turkey Side Event, Commission on the Status of Women, 59th Session,
McKinsey Asia Week
It’s a great pleasure to be speaking here today. Congratulations Dominic and Kevin and the conference leaders for giving priority to the issue of women’s leadership. As Natalie mentioned, I have the immense privilege of being Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner. This role has taken me from 200 metres under the sea in a submarine to the United Nations in New York, to camping out with aboriginal women in Northern Australia, to the mountains and valleys of Afghanistan, the White House, the Pentagon, NATO and the World Bank ALL in the same year.
Sydney Girls High School – Annual Presentation Day
It is indeed a privilege to be invited to speak to you all at such an important time in many of your lives. In my job I get the opportunity to see and be with people of all walks of life, across all parts of Australia. And it is wonderful to be able to include today in my experiences – it is giving the chance to be with an incredibly talented group of young women, who I hope to see in leadership and decision-making positions across Australia in the future – it is incredibly inspiring.