Payne; Ms Guivarra as Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women. Senator the Hon Marise Payne today I announced the appointment of Ms Julie-Ann Guivarra as Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality.

Australia is a global leader on gender equality and women’s empowerment. We are committed to securing economic opportunities for women, focussing on their safety, and recognising the benefits of women’s leadership.

Gender equality is a human right, and respecting human rights and freedoms makes Australia and the world safer and more secure. It also helps address a range of challenges including poverty, weak governance, conflict and violent extremism.

As Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, Ms Guivarra will work to ensure that gender equality, and empowerment of women and girls is a central focus of Australia’s diplomatic, development, and regional security efforts.

Ms Guivarra is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Ambassador to Spain. She has previously served overseas as Counsellor, World Trade Organisation, Geneva.

Ms Guivarra holds a Master of Arts (Foreign Affairs and Trade) from Monash University; and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from James Cook University.

I thank former Ambassador for Women and Girls, Dr Sharman Stone, for her significant contribution to Australia’s efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world, especially in our Indo-Pacific region.