We are proud to launch The Women’s Advocate, a new podcast from the Affiliation of Australian Women’s Advocacy Alliances (AAWAA), a space designed to explore beneath the surface of policy, advocacy, and daily life for women and girls in Australia. Our aim is to create a record—nuanced, searching, and unafraid—of what is happening to women’s … Continue reading Introducing the AAWAA Women’s Advocate podcast: voices for women’s protections and rights
Author: AAWAA (Affiliation of Australian Women's Advocacy Alliances)
AAWAA is a peak body that co-ordinates national-level activities on behalf of our affiliated women’s action alliances and that also represents those alliances in national and international matters.
AAWAA affiliate groups are women’s liberation groups committed to the protection and advancement of women and girls on the understanding that sex is a biological fact with material consequences for females living under patriarchy.
QWAA strengthens the call for evidence-based protections for girls in Queensland’s hormone therapies review
As Queensland embarks on a vital review of hormone therapies for children and young people with gender dysphoria, the Queensland Women’s Action Alliance (QWAA) and the broader Affiliation of Australian Women’s Action Alliances (AAWAA) have delivered a comprehensive, expert-grounded response. Our coordinated effort seeks to ensure government policy and clinical practice truly protect girls and … Continue reading QWAA strengthens the call for evidence-based protections for girls in Queensland’s hormone therapies review
Australian feminists unite for UN shadow report: Why women’s voices matter in international human rights
Our coalition of independent feminist organisations has submitted its shadow report to the United Nations Human Rights Council as part of Australia’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In doing so, we join other civil society groups in making plain the growing threat to women’s rights and sex-based protections in Australia: a reality that is too … Continue reading Australian feminists unite for UN shadow report: Why women’s voices matter in international human rights
The power of a united front: Why coalitions matter in feminist advocacy
Making headway on issues like surrogacy law isn’t a solo pursuit. Our recent joint submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) by a coalition of feminist organisations is a case in point. But when feminist groups with overlapping aims join forces, our arguments tend to land with more force, and it’s a reminder that … Continue reading The power of a united front: Why coalitions matter in feminist advocacy
Feminist groups demand a voice in the ALRC’s review of surrogacy laws
AAWAA has led a coalition of independent feminist organisations from across Australia to present a formal submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) as part of its review of surrogacy laws. As members of a coalition of independent feminist organisations from across Australia, we have jointly submitted our response to the Australian Law Reform … Continue reading Feminist groups demand a voice in the ALRC’s review of surrogacy laws
Announcing our name change: AAWAA’s strategic focus on advocacy
When women come together, our voices, so often dismissed or sidelined in public debate, become more difficult to ignore. Today, we are proud to announce a step that strengthens our collective voice: our national peak body is now the Affiliation of Australian Women’s Advocacy Alliances (AAWAA). Why ‘Advocacy’ and why now? This change is more … Continue reading Announcing our name change: AAWAA’s strategic focus on advocacy
Tasmanian women call for review of sex self-ID laws
The Women’s Action Alliance Tasmania (WAAT) wrote to the Tasmanian Attorney-General, the Hon Guy Barnett, urging the government to take a closer look at the real-world impacts of sex self-identification laws on women and girls in the state. The letter, sent in April 2025, highlights a growing sense of unease among women’s advocates about the consequences … Continue reading Tasmanian women call for review of sex self-ID laws
Aus vs UK: female-only spaces, self-ID, and legal ambiguity
The recent UK Supreme Court decision on the Equality Act 2010 has created a sharp legal distinction between the UK and Australia regarding the recognition of sex and gender in anti-discrimination law. In the UK, the Supreme Court ruled that ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act refer strictly to biological sex as observed at … Continue reading Aus vs UK: female-only spaces, self-ID, and legal ambiguity
The silent exemption: How sporting clubs are misled about protecting women’s sport
The current confusion surrounding gender inclusion policies in Australian sport has left many local sporting clubs and associations in a precarious position. While the ambition for greater inclusion in sport is widely shared, the reality of achieving such inclusion is, for local sporting clubs, far more complex. Too often, guidance from authorities focuses on broad … Continue reading The silent exemption: How sporting clubs are misled about protecting women’s sport
Surrogacy is state-sanctioned violence against women and girls: Why prohibition is the only answer
AAWAA has responded to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls (SRVAWG)’s call for input for her upcoming report to the General Assembly’s 80th session, specifically addressing the theme of surrogacy and its relationship to violence against women and girls. AAWAA’s submission makes our position unequivocal: All forms of surrogacy constitute … Continue reading Surrogacy is state-sanctioned violence against women and girls: Why prohibition is the only answer
A landmark victory for women’s rights: UK Supreme Court upholds biological definition of ‘woman’
The UK Supreme Court has just delivered a landmark ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, affirming that the term “woman” in the UK's Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex, not gender identity. This decision clarifies that single-sex spaces and services—such as crisis shelters, hospital wards, and sports—can lawfully exclude biological males to protect the … Continue reading A landmark victory for women’s rights: UK Supreme Court upholds biological definition of ‘woman’
Institutional integrity, free association, and women’s rights: our groups join the national push for sex-based protections
As the 2025 federal election approaches, the Affiliation of Australian Women’s Action Alliances (AAWAA) and its member groups are taking action. Across the country, our women-led organisations — and our individual members — are writing directly to candidates, urging them to restore clarity and fairness to Australia’s anti-discrimination framework. Our member groups have joined the … Continue reading Institutional integrity, free association, and women’s rights: our groups join the national push for sex-based protections
Women’s rights are on the ballot: Candidates urged to back sex-based protections
As we head toward the 2025 federal election, the AAWAA has written to every candidate standing for the 48th Parliament of Australia with a clear message: women’s sex-based protections and rights must be a priority—and we have let them know that voters are paying attention. In our letters, we thank each candidate for stepping forward … Continue reading Women’s rights are on the ballot: Candidates urged to back sex-based protections
Local Action: Jasmine Sussex, Breastfeeding is womens’ work
AAWAA brings to you ‘Local Action’ - interviews with women getting it done across Australia. In Local Action we talk to Mother of three and volunteer breastfeeding counsellor Jasmine Sussex. Jasmine has been attacked for holding the most reasonable and normal belief in the world – That only women can be mothers and only mothers … Continue reading Local Action: Jasmine Sussex, Breastfeeding is womens’ work
NSW Minister for Women urged to safeguard women’s access to female-only spaces
NSWWAA have written to the Hon Jodie Harrison MP — the NSW Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault — expressing urgent concerns regarding the erosion of female-only spaces and services in NSW, as highlighted in recent parliamentary hearings, and in particular as they pertain … Continue reading NSW Minister for Women urged to safeguard women’s access to female-only spaces
Women’s context is the nation’s challenge in the administration of the age pension in Australia
AAWAA has been invited by the Australian National Audit Office to provide input into their forthcoming performance audit of the administration of the age pension. The audit is expected to be tabled in Parliament in October 2025, and is open for public contributions via the ANAO's website until 27 April 2025; however, the ANAO encouraged AAWAA to … Continue reading Women’s context is the nation’s challenge in the administration of the age pension in Australia
Call to disband the Queensland Children’s Gender Service (QCGS)
Both AAWAA and the Queensland Women's Action Alliance (QWAA) have written to the Premier and Deputy Premier of Queensland, as well as the Queensland Minister for Health, to thank them for the Queensland Government’s recent commitment to not support the expansion of gender services for children in Queensland and to instead prioritise the safeguarding of … Continue reading Call to disband the Queensland Children’s Gender Service (QCGS)
24 theses or disputation on the social power of men to invade Women-only gym spaces
Download a two-page printable copy of this statement. OVERVIEW This statement reflects a view grounded in the legal provisions of Australian law, the lived experiences of Women, and the need for special measures that enable Women to overcome systemic disadvantages in a male-dominated and male-created society. IT IS NOT UNLAWFUL TO PROVIDE FEMALE-ONLY SPACES Women-only … Continue reading 24 theses or disputation on the social power of men to invade Women-only gym spaces
Summit materials now available
AAWAA would like to provide our readers with some of the materials we produced or that were shared for the AAWAA Women’s Summit 2024. Thank you to all those who attended — your contributions, experience, expertise, and generosity were all so very much appreciated. Session 1. Welcome and overview Session 2. Practical activism Session 3. … Continue reading Summit materials now available
NSW Equality bill being rammed through despite lack of democratic process and far-reaching changes to 20 Acts of Parliament
NSWWAA has written to NSW Premier Chris Minns as a matter of urgency to raise concerns about the proposed Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 that we understand will be debated in NSW Parliament this week. NSWWAA is particularly troubled by the lack of democratic process that has occurred to date regarding the bill’s proposed sweeping and significant changes across twenty … Continue reading NSW Equality bill being rammed through despite lack of democratic process and far-reaching changes to 20 Acts of Parliament
Specific mental health needs of women and girls must be addressed in next OHCHR comprehensive report
AAWAA has provided input into the UN OHCHR’s forthcoming report on mental health and human rights. We acknowledge and appreciate the recognition – reflected in past OHCHR reports and the WHO/OHCHR guide – that human rights violations, including forms of violence and discrimination, are significant contributors to adverse mental health outcomes. The link between systemic … Continue reading Specific mental health needs of women and girls must be addressed in next OHCHR comprehensive report
It’s time to re-evaluate the ABC’s ties with ACON to restore independence and credibility
A non-partisan coalition of feminist and LGB groups has written to Kim Williams, ABC Chair, to express our concerns about the ABC’s relationship with the advocacy group ACON. We are especially concerned that the ABC’s membership of ACON/Pride in Diversity and its participation in ACON’s Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) compromises the ABC’s independence and … Continue reading It’s time to re-evaluate the ABC’s ties with ACON to restore independence and credibility
Rejoinder to Michael Foran re Tickle v Giggle and the principle of legality
We thank Michael Foran for his recent and insightful analysis of our previous post. We maintain that: Parliament's intention was to amend the law to provide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status, within the Act's defined areas. The removal of the definition of ‘woman' from the Act served this … Continue reading Rejoinder to Michael Foran re Tickle v Giggle and the principle of legality
Tickle v Giggle and the principle of legality
Some questionable claims have been made recently about gender, sex, what it means to be a woman, and women's rights. But one statement from Justice Bromwich in the Tickle v Giggle case really takes the biscuit. Set aside, if you can, Justice Bromwich’s declaration in the Federal Court that “on its ordinary meaning, sex is … Continue reading Tickle v Giggle and the principle of legality
Protecting the human rights of trans and gender diverse-identifying people: medical interventions including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones
In early May, AAWAA made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Council's national project mapping threats to trans and gender diverse (TGD) human rights in Australia. We welcome the AHRC’s interest in the human rights of people who identify as TGD, and note the AHRC’s mandate to investigate actions or practices that could be … Continue reading Protecting the human rights of trans and gender diverse-identifying people: medical interventions including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones
Problems with surrogacy will disappear if surrogacy is banned
The NSW Women's Action Alliance (NSWWAA) has put in a submission to the NSW government for the Government's review of the Surrogacy Act 2010 and the Status of Children Act 1996. This review has come in response to an inquiry into an omnibus bill that seeks to amend twenty different laws all at once in … Continue reading Problems with surrogacy will disappear if surrogacy is banned
AAWAA Women’s Summit 2024, Canberra: Draft program
Planning for the inaugural AAWAA Summit (Friday 4 - Saturday 5 October) is well underway and the program is looking fantastic, with talks and workshops covering practical activism, supporting women’s liberation, writing submissions, and much more. View our draft program, below. For women to walk away knowing they have the tools, skills, resources, networks, and safety … Continue reading AAWAA Women’s Summit 2024, Canberra: Draft program
Federal minister’s welcome proposal to ban ‘sexual services’ from the NDIS
Federal Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Bill Shorten, has proposed to ban ‘sexual services’ from being funded by taxpayers. This reform is one that we welcome, and we welcome it alongside prostitution survivors and survivor advocates who have vehemently opposed the funding of ‘sexual services’ under the NDIS since the inclusion of … Continue reading Federal minister’s welcome proposal to ban ‘sexual services’ from the NDIS
Concerns that WHO guideline group lacks the diversity, balance, and expertise to address transgender health
The World Health Organisation recently provided an update on the membership of its Guideline Development Group on the health of trans and gender diverse people, and called for submissions. Our submission follows submissions we made on 8 and 15 January 2024 with our coalition partners -- AF4WR, CoAL, LGBAA, and WRNA -- responding to previous … Continue reading Concerns that WHO guideline group lacks the diversity, balance, and expertise to address transgender health
Local Action: Mel Days, ‘Staying You’
QWAA brings to you ‘Local Action’ a monthly report on the brave feminist actions by women across Australia. Local Action this week is with Mel Day. Mel Day is a teacher who also works in the fields of sociology and counselling. In 2018-2020 she underwent treatment for aggressive stage 3 breast cancer. Mel discovered that … Continue reading Local Action: Mel Days, ‘Staying You’
