Breaking barriers and forging pathways towards gender equality in politics

In this event, we'll share brand new research that shines a light on the barriers preventing politically active women and non-binary people from running for office and explores how we can forge pathways towards greater gender equality in politics.

Our report, prepared in collaboration with Women for Election (WFE), asked women and non-binary politically active Australians about the barriers, anticipated support they needed, and systemic changes they would like to see to consider engaging in politics further, including running for political office.  

In this event, GIWL Researcher, Dr Gosia Mikolajczak and WFE CEO Licia Heath will discuss key findings and recommendations from the report, and consider the progress that has been made so far and what still needs to change to advance equality. 

They'll be joined by a panel of candidates and Councillors, who will reflect on their own personal journeys to politics and their advice to anyone looking to embark on a political career themselves but are unsure where to begin. You'll hear from...

Georgie Carey, the Deputy Mayor of the Town of Mosman Park, who was elected to Council in 2017 as one of Australia’s youngest Councillors at age 21. Georgie is a passionate advocate for the inclusion of young people in positions of decision-making at a local level and on the global stage.

Jade Darko is the Councillor for Clarence City Council and the Greens candidate for Franklin. Jade made history in 2022 the first transgender woman elected to public office in the state of Tasmania.

Farhat Firdous, the Baw Bar Shire Councillor, who uses this post to advocate for social inclusion and social cohesion. Farhat is also the Co-founder and Chair of Intercultural Exchange Inc., a community-minded organisation that aims to create safe spaces to strengthen sense of belonging by reducing potential miscommunications, assumptions, and discrimination. 

Dominique Passmore is based in the southern suburbs of Sydney and ran in the 2021 Council elections, after completing training with Women for Election. She ended up winning but didn’t get elected, so will be sharing her experiences of the challenges of running a campaign and the barriers to entry to political office.

Mallika Raj is the youngest Labor candidate in upcoming ACT elections and first ever South-Asian woman to run for the legislative assembly. Mallika is also the founder and owner of SAMA Health Enterprises the National Co-Chair for the Young Business Leaders for the Australia India Business Council.