YWCA Victoria speaks out on behalf of young women, and this often involves writing policy submissions to Federal, State and Local government. Please see attached a range of YWCA Victoria’s recent submissions.

Submission to the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children

YWCA Australia submission.  Despite the considerable progress made in advancing gender equality, the relationship between men and women remains firmly based on power and control. This power dynamic reflects the biological difference between men and women, and entrenched cultural norms that reward aggressive and competitive behaviour, particularly among men.

Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry: Paid Maternity Leave, Paternity and Parental Leave

YWCA Australia submission advocation for paid maternity, paternity and parental leave.

Homelessness Green Paper Submission

YWCA Australia is a leading not for profit with extensive experience in supporting the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.  Our wide range of community programs play a critical role in preventing and addressing homelessness, and include in-school mentoring, life skills training, early intervention programs as well as post crisis support and outreach work.  As an organisation focused on the needs of women and girls, a feminist agenda has informed our work.

Party Drugs Submission

Party Drugs Submission to Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee 'Inquiry into the use of amphetamines and party drugs' in Victoria, August 2002. In this submission YWCA Victoria has concentrated on the terms of reference in connection to amphetamines and illicit drugs associated with parties and social gatherings, but also referring to legal drugs and their impact on young women.

Marketplace Submission

Marketplace Submission to Family and Community Development Committee. YWCA Victoria believes that marketplace discrimination is one of the biggest issues facing women today and one of the most serious examples of gender discrimination.
Advertising Submission

'The Portrayal of Women in Outdoor Advertising' July 2001, Discussion Paper. We are constantly bombarded with images of how we are supposed to look and behave as women. This is imposed and reinforced constantly.

Paid Maternity Leave Submission

Submission to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commissions 'Valuing Parenthood: Options for Paid Maternity Leave Interim Paper 2002'. Young women are at the centre of the issue of population growth and paid maternity leave. Our needs must be listened to and taken into account. Any discussions that takes place without the involvement of young women are doomed to failure.

Human Rights Submission

Submission to the Human Rights Consultation Committee Victoria, August 2005. The purpose of our submission is to ensure that the rights of women are included in any human rights legislation enacted by the Victorian Government. With this in mind, YWCA Victoria supports a Victorian Charter of Rights that enshrines women's rights as fundamental human rights.