Gender Equality

Our Watch became Rugby Australia’s gender equality partner in 2015 and since then has collaborated on two major programs.

The first is the 'Sports Engagement Program' established in 2015 with the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Social Services which aimed to bring sporting organisations together and encourage them to take action in preventing violence against women and children.

The 'Sports Engagement Program Phase Two' began in 2018 and now involves Football Federation Australia, the National Rugby League and the Australian Football League.

This program helps sporting organisations embed gender equality and respectful relationships into their workplace as well as create cultures which help prevent violence against women and their children.

The initial Sports Engagement Program is still in action and in the long-term aims to achieve the below:

• Increased number of Australians supporting gender equality, adopting positive bystander action and rejecting gender stereotypes;
• Increased number of young people being able to identify and build respectful and equitable relationships; Strong leadership and community engagement which helps drive prevention; and
• Increased number of communities, including sport who practice prevention 

For more information visit https://www.ourwatch.org.au/

Rugby Australia also encourages you to complete or share the 'Play by the Rules' online module and the 'Rugby Specific Bystander Module' via the Rugby Learning Centre.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.