We are pleased to announce the release of the shEqual project evaluation, which showcases the impact and reach of the program in advancing gender equality within the Australian advertising industry. As the only initiative of its kind in the country, shEqual has played a pivotal role in shifting industry perspectives and practices.

This independent evaluation, conducted by Trezona Consulting Group, provides a comprehensive overview of shEqual’s progress from 2020 to 2024. It highlights that shEqual has:

• Established a robust evidence base, consulting over 700 industry professionals and publishing seven reports that have significantly contributed to the understanding of gender equality in advertising.
• Increased awareness among stakeholders of the links between sexist advertising, gender inequality, and violence against women, reinforcing the importance of equitable representation.
• Engaged over 2,000 industry professionals directly through governance, research, and capacity-building activities, and reached over 238,000 stakeholders through digital channels.
• Influenced policy and regulatory changes, with key success in advocating for industry-wide updates adopted by the AANA and ACA.
• Supported industry leaders in taking proactive steps toward gender equality and promoting safer and more respectful workplaces.

While shEqual has achieved significant progress, the evaluation also provides valuable recommendations to guide future efforts. These include expanding the initiative’s scope to cover all forms of advertising, continuing to advocate for legislative reforms, and engaging men through allyship programs.

We invite you to review the report highlights in our Executive Summary or explore the Full Report to gain deeper insights into the program’s outcomes and its forward-looking recommendations.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to this important evaluation, with a special acknowledgment to Trezona Consulting for their outstanding work in delivering these findings.