Brittany Higgins is making a return to Australian politics, as the new executive director for Vida Fund – an advocacy organisation fighting for gender equality.
The organisation supports independent female candidates who stand up for gender equality reform.
“We are entering a period where misogyny, extremism are becoming increasingly organised and visible. Vida intends to meet that moment with evidence-based advocacy, strategic campaigning and community-backed action,” Higgins said.
“One Nation and the new right are trying to mainstream misogyny on a scale Australians have never seen before.
“With Barnaby Joyce championing this US-style war on reproductive rights, it has never been more important to get organised and take action.”
Vida Fund is not just focused on increasing women’s representation and achieving equal numbers in parliament, but building political systems and cultures where women can take part safely and effectively, without facing higher levels of hostility, abuse or intimidation.
“This is about building sustained pressure across the political system to pursue more ambitious gender equity reforms,” Higgins said.
“Stopping gendered violence, ensuring safety of girls and women online, and lifting women’s representation in our democratic institutions must be treated as political priorities.”
Vida Fund Advisory Council Chair Wendy McCarthy AC said, “Brittany Higgins’ appointment to Vida Fund comes at a critical moment for women in Australia.”
“Around the world, we are seeing a resurgence of far-right movements determined to wind back women’s autonomy, representation and safety. We need courageous leadership, and Brittany understands both the personal cost and the national importance of this work.”
This is the first time the former Liberal staffer has taken on a role in politics following allegations she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann at Parliament House.
He has continued to deny the claims.
Lehrmann had lost a civil defamation case against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson when the the Federal Court determined, on the balance of probabilities, he raped Higgins at Parliament House.
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