by Dr Lisa J. Griffiths, OzChild Chief Executive Officer
This week marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark commitment to advancing gender equality worldwide. The 1995 Declaration laid out a bold vision to dismantle systemic barriers and uplift women and girls. Three decades on, we have made undeniable progress. Women hold more leadership roles, gender pay reporting has improved transparency, and paid parental leave has allowed more equitable caregiving responsibilities. Yet, for too many women, particularly those in caregiving roles, economic disparity remains entrenched.
Progress Worth Celebrating
There is much to acknowledge. The number of women in the Australian Parliament has risen by 26% since 2002, reaching 44% in 2022—a crucial step toward gender equity in policymaking. In the workforce, more organisations are implementing flexible work arrangements, gender-equity initiatives, and unconscious bias training to ensure women have equal opportunities to thrive.
At OzChild, my organisation, we have taken steps in the right direction. In mid-2024, we enhanced our paid parental leave policy, ensuring employees have greater financial security while balancing work and family life to extend Paid Parental leave to 26 weeks in addition to the Commonwealth provisions. These policy shifts matter but must extend beyond the workplace to support women in all caregiving roles.
The Gendered Cost of Caregiving: A Crisis We Cannot Ignore
One of the most overlooked economic inequities is the financial burden placed on women in caregiving roles, particularly within child and family welfare. Foster and kinship carers—overwhelmingly women—provide the backbone of stability for vulnerable children, yet their work remains undervalued, undercompensated, and largely invisible in economic policymaking.
The economic data is striking. According to a 2022 report by the Cube Group, the estimated economic contribution of volunteer foster carers in Australia exceeds $500 million annually. More importantly, foster care saves hundreds of millions of dollars in avoided child protection and crisis intervention costs. Yet, despite their immense value to society, carers remain financially disadvantaged.
Too many women are forced to choose between caregiving and economic security, leading to reduced workforce participation, lower lifetime earnings, and inadequate superannuation. This not only affects their immediate financial wellbeing but also leaves them vulnerable in retirement. The persistent undervaluation of care work directly fuels the gender pay gap and perpetuates economic inequality.
Turning Commitment into Action
It is no longer enough to recognise these inequities—we must act. Governments and policymakers must prioritise fair financial recognition for both paid and unpaid care work. This means:
The National Foster Care Sustainability Group is leading the charge in advocating for policy changes that ensure foster and kinship carers are not left behind. Their work is pivotal in securing long-overdue financial support and recognition for the women who dedicate their lives to supporting vulnerable children.
March Forward—With Purpose and Urgency
For 30 years, we have spoken about gender inequality, attended panels, and pledged commitments. But incremental progress is not enough.
As Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, stated:
“Australia is committed to leading the charge on gender equality. As our Beijing+30 Gender Equality Report to the United Nations shows, we have made significant strides, but there is still much work ahead to close the gender pay gap, ensure women’s safety, and fairly value both paid and unpaid care work.”
If we are truly committed to gender equality, we must ensure that all women—including foster and kinship carers—are economically supported and valued for their contributions. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls, let this be more than a slogan. Let it be a rallying cry for action. Let’s demand fair policies, challenge outdated systems, and push for real financial recognition of care work. The time for change is now.
Dr Griffiths is the Chief Executive Officer at OzChild, Victoria’s longest-running child welfare organisation and Australia’s largest provider of evidence-based programs in child protection, family violence and youth justice.
Lisa is a Professor and Senior Fellow at the Australian Graduate School of Leadership and holds a Doctorate in Business Leadership and focuses on evidence-based ethical leadership.
A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Centre for Evidence-Based Management, Lisa is a passionate advocate for children’s issues and strongly advocates for utilising effective strategies that benefit Australian children, young people, and families.
As Chair of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group and a founding member of Allies for Children, Lisa is committed to transforming the Child and Family Welfare sector, advocating for the essential support that carers, children, and young people deserve.
Families Australia has announced the appointment of Dr Lisa J. Griffiths as its new Chair of the Board, following the transition of outgoing Chair Deb Tsorbaris to the role of Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner.
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