On International Women’s Day we are getting behind the theme of “Count Her In” by celebrating the diverse contributions of women in volunteering.
Today we are sharing insights from research on women’s engagement in volunteering. These findings are drawn from the updated Key Volunteering Statistics factsheet incorporating new data from the Volunteering in Australia 2022 dataset and the Time Use Survey 2021.
Data and research serve as vital tools to “Count Her In” as we strive for equity and inclusion within volunteering.
Did you know women are more likely to volunteer than men? In 2022, 28.6 percent of women had participated in volunteer work in the previous 12 months compared to 24.7 percent of men. Women were much more likely than men to have volunteered informally, with 51.3 percent of women undertaking informal volunteering compared to 41.5 percent of men.
The higher participation rates of women in volunteering present a significant opportunity for fostering gender equality across various roles. While men currently hold a greater share of board/committee positions at 23.8%, women’s representation stands at 14.5%. This gap signifies an opportunity to encourage and support more women to step into leadership roles thereby creating a more diverse and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued.
Volunteering Preferences:
Women are more likely to volunteer in key areas:
Aged care: 10.6% Children/youth: 19.7% Education/training: 14.5%
Women are predominantly involved in roles such as:
Companionship/social support: 16.7% Food preparation/service/delivery: 23.6% Fundraising/sales/events: 27.8%
Empowering Women:
The theme “Count Her In” emphasises the importance of recognising women’s involvement. When women have equal opportunities, entire communities thrive. Their contributions as volunteers play a crucial role in building stronger communities.
Addressing Inequalities:
We are interested in highlighting social inequalities and disadvantages regarding volunteering and how we can work towards more equality. By acknowledging disparities and working to address them, we can create a more inclusive and equitable volunteering experience where everyone’s contributions are valued and recognised.
Navigating the landscape of volunteering comes with its unique set of challenges, especially for women who often juggle various responsibilities. However, as we highlight the theme of “Count Her In,” it’s essential to address these challenges to ensure women’s full participation and recognition in volunteering.
The National Strategy for Volunteering underscores the significance of providing volunteers, with opportunities that align with their motivations and aspirations. By creating inclusive volunteering programs that cater to women’s interests and skills, we not only empower them but also enhance their engagement and satisfaction. Through this approach, we affirm our commitment to celebrating and supporting women’s contributions to volunteering, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society where every woman’s voice is heard and their contribution valued.
The unveiling of new data on the role of gender in volunteering serves as a powerful tool to “Count Her In” and address prevailing social inequalities. By shining a light on the nuanced dynamics of volunteering, particularly regarding gender disparities, we gain valuable insights into the barriers that women face. Armed with this knowledge, we can formulate targeted strategies to dismantle these barriers and create a more inclusive environment for women in volunteering.
Through concerted efforts to promote gender equality and empower women to take on diverse roles in volunteering, we pave the way for meaningful progress towards a society where every individual can thrive and contribute equitably.
This International Women’s Day let’s honour and celebrate the diverse contributions of women in volunteering and keep working towards equity and inclusion.
#IWD2024 #CountHerIn
