As we prepare to mark International Women’s Day this weekend, I’ve been reflecting on the extraordinary strength, leadership, and resilience of the people who make up our community service sector.
This is a workforce overwhelmingly powered by women – 78% of workers across WA’s community services identify as women – yet our Stronger Together research makes it clear that gender equity cannot be assumed simply because women are present in large numbers.
Despite the deep skill, professionalism, and emotional labour that define this sector, gender pay gaps persist, particularly in senior roles, and many workers continue to face high workloads, burnout, and limited access to the conditions that support long‑term economic security. As one of the report’s key findings notes, “employee respondent data indicated a significant gender pay gap, primarily at the more senior role level”.
Why International Women’s Day matters to our sector
For WACOSS, International Women’s Day is not a symbolic date on the calendar – it is a reminder of the structural inequities that shape the lives of the people who deliver essential care, support, and advocacy across our state. It is also a moment to honour the women and gender‑diverse people who show up every day for their communities, often in under‑resourced environments, and often at personal cost.
Our sector is built on care – but care work has been historically undervalued. The report highlights that “female‑dominated industries pay the lowest proportion of superannuation, bonuses and other discretionary pay” , contributing to lifelong financial inequity for women. These realities are not abstract; they shape the wellbeing, safety, and futures of the people who hold our communities together.
Our commitment as the peak body
As the peak body for community services in WA, WACOSS is steadfast in its commitment to:
- Advocating for sustainable, fair funding from both State and Federal Governments – and while we have secured some important wins, we know there is still a long way to go before funding models genuinely support gender‑equitable workplaces and service sustainability.
- Advocating for fair pay and secure work that reflects the true cost of delivering care.
- Strengthening workplace policies that support gender equity, including flexible work, paid parental leave, and protections against harassment and discrimination.
- Championing gender diversity and inclusion, ensuring our advocacy and sector leadership explicitly supports women, trans women, and all people who identify as women – recognising that gender‑based inequity is not experienced by cisgender women alone.
- Ensuring children are safe from abuse, women live free from violence, and all genders – including anyone who identifies as a woman – are included and respected.
- Championing the voices of workers, particularly those in frontline roles who experience the greatest pressures and the least recognition.
We know that economic security is a critical protective factor for women and children experiencing or at risk of violence. We also know that burnout and workload pressures are widespread, with the report noting that “high workloads and burnout were raised repeatedly” by workers across the sector . These are systemic issues – and they require systemic solutions.
A sector that leads with courage
Across our membership, we see organisations striving to create safer, fairer, more inclusive workplaces despite funding constraints. We see leaders investing in gender‑equitable policies, teams building cultures of safety and respect, and women stepping into leadership roles even when the path is steep.
This is what leadership looks like in our sector: courage, care, and a refusal to accept inequity as inevitable.
Looking ahead
International Women’s Day is a celebration – but it is also a call to action. Our sector has always been a leader in social justice, and together we can continue to push for the reforms, funding, and cultural change needed to ensure every worker is valued, every woman is safe, and every gender‑diverse person is included and respected.
Thank you to our members for your leadership, your advocacy, and your unwavering commitment to community. We are stronger together – and together, we will continue to drive the change our sector deserves.
Louise Giolitto is Chief Executive Officer of the Western Australian Council of Social Service