Australian women are among the world’s most educated, but women’s economic participation is not where it should be.

While this level of educational attainment shows the value of our national investment in education, it is apparent we are not capitalising on this investment.

Women’s workforce participation bears the brunt of the economic and social trade-off between work and care. It remains the main barrier to women joining the workforce, increasing their hours of work and advancing to reach their full potential.

The systemic structural, cultural and economic barriers that still exist in childcare, Paid Parental Leave (PPL), superannuation and acquiring skills all have direct economic consequences on women’s future economic security.

Harassment and bullying remains an issue in many workplaces.

Read the full paper here.