Australian State Enacts ‘First of Its Kind’ Gender Equality Act

Female traffic light signals being installed at the intersection of Swanston and Flinders streets in Melbourne, Australia on March 7, 2017. Stefan Postles/Getty Images

The Victorian government has implemented Australia’s first Gender Equality Act that will require public sector employers to “promote and advance” gender equality in the workplace.

The legislation (pdf), which came into effect on March 31, will see the public sector—including local councils and universities—“close the gender pay gap, improve gender equality at all levels of the workforce and eliminate workplace sexual harassment,” Victoria’s Minister for Women, Gabrielle Williams, said in a statement (pdf).