On International Women’s Day, the global community reflects on the progress made toward gender equality while recognising the challenges that remain. This year’s theme, Balance the Scales, highlights a difficult truth: despite decades of progress, barriers to justice and safety for women and girls remain deeply entrenched.
At The Kids Research Institute Australia, our researchers are working to shift that balance through evidence-based research that supports the health, safety and wellbeing of girls, young women and women at every stage of life.
Understanding and preventing online abuse
Technology-facilitated abuse is a growing threat, particularly for girls and young women. Our Human Development and Wellbeing Team is leading a national project exploring how online abuse affects girls and young women in regional communities and how it can be prevented. The study is working directly with boys and young men in rural Western Australia, recognising that their voices are critical in challenging harmful online behaviours and shaping respectful digital cultures that girls and young women feel safe and supported to participate in. Insights from the project will help inform education programs, policy responses and family support services designed to reduce technology-based abuse and better protect girls and women online.
Click here to read more about the project
Supporting mothers’ mental wellbeing
The transition to motherhood can be both joyful and challenging. Through our Mums Minds Matter study, researchers at ORIGINS are evaluating a custom-designed app that helps women develop practical mental health skills during pregnancy and early parenthood. The digital program provides evidence-based stress-reduction techniques – including mindfulness, compassion training and relaxation exercises – and early findings show that women continue to use the skills long after the program ends. Supporting maternal mental health is critical not only for mothers, but also for the healthy development and wellbeing of their children.
Click here to learn more about the study
Elevating conversations about women’s wellbeing
Research at The Kids also extends beyond the lab, helping to spark important conversations about women’s mental health. The second season of the Institute’s award-winning podcast, Embracing the Mind, focused entirely on women’s wellbeing, exploring topics such as mental health, identity and resilience across different life stages.
Listen to the second season of Embracing the Mind here
Together, these initiatives reflect a broader commitment to advancing gender equity both within research and across the Institute itself. Through leadership, collaboration and inclusive practices, The Kids continues to champion opportunities for women in science and ensure that research reflects the needs and experiences of girls and women everywhere.
Learn more about our commitment to gender equity, diversity and inclusion here
On International Women’s Day, and every day, this work helps move the scales closer to balance, creating safer communities, stronger families and a healthier future for the next generation.