Balancing the scales: International Women's Day 2026

The Social Services Regulator (SSR) is proud to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 in support of women, girls, trans and gender diverse Victorians.

As we celebrate the progress on gender equality in Victoria, we remain committed to addressing and preventing persistent gender-based violence, systemic discrimination and structural barriers.

This year’s UN Women Australia IWD theme ‘Balance the scales’ highlights the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl – with a focus on First Nations women and girls.

At the SSR, we are proud to protect safety, fairness and inclusion for women, girls, trans and gender diverse people by ensuring that organisations and businesses subject to the Social Services Standards and the Child Safe Standards must:

• uphold equity and respect the diverse needs of children

• respect and uphold rights and agency for people who access social services

• embed Aboriginal cultural safety in social services and organisations that work with children

• empower children, and people who access social services, to provide feedback.

The SSR also drives accountability for preventing and responding to gender-based harm with oversight of the Reportable Conduct Scheme, Working With Children Check and the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme.

Social Services Regulator Jonanthan Kaplan said organisations and businesses must support gender-based fairness, inclusion and access.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, the SSR is committed to ensuring organisations and businesses that we regulate meet the needs of women, girls, trans and gender diverse people every day.

“Whether you provide a childcare service, a homelessness service for women escaping violence, or a youth camp, it must uphold gender-based safety and rights by meeting intersectional needs, including Aboriginal cultural safety,” said Jonathan Kaplan.

The Social Services Standards(opens in a new window) and the Child Safe Standards(opens in a new window) are a consistent set of obligations that organisations and businesses in Victoria must meet.

This International Women’s Day, organisations, individuals and businesses can take action in the following ways:

• Access our guidance materials on meeting the Social Services Standards(opens in a new window) and the Child Safe Standards(opens in a new window), including:

• Guidance on Child Safe Standard 5(opens in a new window): equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.

• Guidance on Child Safe Standard 1(opens in a new window): establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

• Guidance on Social Services Standard 2(opens in a new window): Service user agency and dignity

• Guidance on Social Services Standard 1: Clause 11(opens in a new window), Aboriginal cultural safety and inclusion

• Guidance on Social Services Standard 4(opens in a new window): Feedback and complaints

• A guide for creating a Child Safe organisation(opens in a new window) and short guide to the Child Safe Standards(opens in a new window)

• Our self-assessment tool(opens in a new window) to evaluate compliance with the Social Service Standards.

• Find out how to raise reportable conduct(opens in a new window) with us and understand our role in administering the Working With Children Check and the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme(opens in a new window).

• Subscribe to our mailing list(opens in a new window) to receive updates about further resources, guidance or events.