RSN's Sporting Women speak with Kate Jenkins - Sex Discrimination Commissioner We speak about her passion for sport and about the positive influence of now having many strong positive role models in the sports arena, and how we can promote health positive community attitudes toward our athletes.
Kate Jenkins was appointed as Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner for a 5 year term commencing April 2016.
Kate comes to this role recognising the immediate priorities of preventing violence against women and their children; securing women's economic security; and advocating for greater diversity in decision making roles across our community. She also recognises sport as a key setting to advance gender equality.
Kate is leading the Australian Human Rights Commission's project on conducting a national survey on sexual harassment and sexual assault in university settings. She is also leading the Commission's collaboration project on cultural reform with the Australian Defence Force.
Kate is the convener of the Victorian Male Champions of Change group, and the Co-Chair of Play by the Rules, a collaboration between human rights agencies and sports commissions to make grass roots sports safe, fair and inclusive.
Kate brings a wealth of human rights and legal experience to the position. Kate was the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner from 2013 to 2016. In that role she introduced the 'Fair go, sport!' project to promote inclusion and increased awareness of sexual and gender diversity in sport. Kate was also the Chair of the Independent Review into Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment, including Predatory Behaviour, in Victoria Police, and the Co-Chair of the Victorian Commission's Disability Reference Group and a member of the Aboriginal Justice Forum.
Prior to this Kate spent 20 years as a lawyer, including lead partner at Herbert Smith Freehills' Australia equal opportunity practice. For 15 years she was also on the board of Berry Street Victoria - Victoria's largest independent child and family welfare organisation.
Kate is a member of the Boards of Heide Museum of Modern Art and the Carlton Football Club.
Kate was recognised in the 2015 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards for her work in public policy.
Kate holds honours degrees in Law and Arts.
Twitter: @Kate_Jenkins_
Web: www.humanrights.gov.au