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Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - 2004 marks the 20th anniversary of the federal Sex Dsicrimination Act 1984

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2004 marks the 20th anniversary
of the federal
Sex Discrimination Act 1984

The world today is a very different place for women than the world of 20 years ago. The Sex Discrimination Act has played a crucial role in promoting a greater acceptance of the need for equality between women and men.

The Sex Discrimination Act requires the Sex Discrimination Commissioner to:

  • raise awareness on issues including sex discrimination, paid maternity leave and pay equity;
  • run public education campaigns on issues such as sexual harassment; and
  • contribute to landmark court cases that have furthered equality for women by, for instance, embedding anti-discrimination principles in the industrial and workplace relations system, advancing pay equity, extending understanding of discrimination against women on the basis of their family responsibilities and ensuring the rights of all women to access IVF and other forms of reproductive technology.

In 2000 Australia was ranked number one on the United Nations Development Programme Gender Development Index.

But if Australia is to remain at the forefront of gender issues and continue to set the global benchmark there remain important equality issues to address, such as:

  • overcoming a significant and stagnant pay equity gap
  • engaging men on work and families issues, and
  • putting in place a universal system of paid maternity leave.

I have asked to hear from women and men around Australia about how we should celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act, mark our achievements and focus on the challenges that lie ahead.

The Sex Discrimination Act received Royal Assent on 21 March 1984 and commenced operation on 1 August 1984 - expect to hear more about planned activities for August 2004.

Pru Goward
Federal Discrimination Commissioner
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission