By Celia Adams, CEO, Beyond Housing
International Women’s Day is more than a celebration—it’s a rallying cry. This year’s theme, March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls, is a reminder that progress isn’t inevitable—it requires action, bold leadership, and an unrelenting commitment to justice.
At Beyond Housing, we see the stark reality of gender inequality every single day. Housing isn’t just about bricks and mortar – it’s about security, dignity, and opportunity. It’s the foundation from which women rebuild their lives, escape violence, gain financial independence, and raise their children in safety. But for too many women, a secure home remains out of reach. That is unacceptable. We refuse to stand by while women are forced into homelessness, poverty, and instability.
Housing: The Bedrock of Empowerment
The statistics are damning – 57% of the people we supported last year were women, many of them escaping family violence. The fastest-growing group of people experiencing homelessness? Women over 55. These are women who have worked hard, built communities, and shaped society, yet find themselves without a place to call home.
A home is more than shelter. It is a chance to heal, to rebuild, to thrive. It is the difference between being trapped in a cycle of crisis and having the stability to plan for the future. When we invest in safe, affordable housing for women, we are investing in stronger families, stronger communities, and a more equitable society.
Marching Forward: Demanding Urgent Change
Women in Australia are still being short-changed. The gender pay gap stubbornly sits at 21.1%. Women retire with 25% less superannuation than men—not because they work less hard, but because they carry the burden of unpaid care, are overrepresented in casual and part-time work, and face entrenched economic disadvantages.
While superannuation is legislated, the system was designed around continuous, full-time employment—something that does not reflect the reality for many women. That is why reforms are critical.
Starting from 1 July 2025, the Australian Government will pay superannuation on the Paid Parental Leave scheme—an overdue step toward fairness. Experts, including KPMG, have called for superannuation contributions to be extended to Carer Payment recipients, recognising the enormous economic value of unpaid care work, which is overwhelmingly performed by women. The Senate Economics References Committee has also recommended re-targeting superannuation tax concessions to better support those with lower balances—again, disproportionately women.
These reforms are not about handouts. They are about correcting a system that has disadvantaged women for generations.
Leading with Purpose, Fighting for Equality
I know firsthand the power of representation. When women lead, the conversation shifts. The solutions change. The outcomes improve. That is why we must demand more women in leadership, not just in government but in business, housing policy, and economic decision-making. Women must be at the table when decisions are made about their lives.
At Beyond Housing, we are not waiting for change—we are driving it. We fight every day to ensure women have access to safe, affordable homes. We challenge outdated policies and advocate for housing as a human right, not a privilege. We stand shoulder to shoulder with women reclaiming their futures.
A Call to Action
International Women’s Day isn’t about excluding anyone—it’s about fairness. Gender equality doesn’t take something away from men; it builds a better society for everyone. When women thrive, communities thrive. When we invest in housing security for women, we create stronger families, more resilient economies, and a more just world for all.
This International Women’s Day, I am not asking—I am demanding that leaders, policymakers, and businesses step up. We cannot afford to keep tinkering around the edges while women are forced into homelessness, financial insecurity, and crisis.
We need real investment. We need structural reform. We need action.
Because women don’t just need a seat at the table—they need a home of their own. And we will not stop fighting until that is a reality for all.
#IWD2025 #MarchForward #GenderEquity #HousingForAll
