The Total And Equal Participation Within The Society Is Highly Depende
The total and equal participation within the society is highly dependent on the kind of access being received by the people in terms of their fundamental and basic freedom, rights and all other things which make the democracy a possibility. It is a known fact that civil and politics related rights are highly essential; however, it is also true that these rights are not really enough to make sure that the equal attributes of freedom and basic rights are enjoyed by all. Quite a significant section of Australians have been found to be benefitted from the aspects related to universal education, health care facilities, fair chances of employment, along with aspects related to social security thereby enhancing the overall chances for opportunities related to citizenship.
However, it is noteworthy that at the same time, there is a significant group of people who do not have access to these things and they include the physically handicapped people, the indigenous Australians and the single mothers who have been found to experience attributes of exclusion and the associated disadvantages thereby undermining the Australian democratic aspects as a whole (Mendes, 2017). The recent times of neo liberal era has now seen a few attempts through which the welfare state and its elements can be tightened and trimmed for betterment. This essay will specifically focus on the condition of the women, especially the single mothers in Australia and how the current legislative aspects affect them and what are the different sociological issues which should be addressed for providing them with a reasonable freedom for a better tomorrow.
Australian women are prone to gender bias and pay, housing related disparities and since Australia does not have a constitutionalised form of depiction regarding the basic rights, it is important and imperative to design one by amending the current legislative protocols regarding it. The women have high risks towards poverty due to the pay gap associated with the gender and the low employment status. Additionally, they are also laden with responsibilities of child care and very less savings related to superannuation (ACOSS 2016b). In such a scenario, the women have to play the role of sole parents along with facing homelessness and aspects of domestic violence which have a direct impact on the income and employment related opportunities.
The socio-economic aspects surrounding the Australian women and the single mothers are manifold and as a sociologist, it is extremely essential to identify them so that they can be addressed, and solutions are provided for the issues and concerns they normally face from society at large. Domestic violence has been
found to be one of the leading causes of homelessness for children and women in Australia with thousands of people turning up for help every year (Homelessness Australia, 2016). The funding by the federal government has seen family violence being cut and the different community-based legal aids have seen thousands of victims of violence being turned away. Aspects of domestic violence impact the working performance of women, the different opportunities they have and the corresponding income they make (McFerran, 2011).
By sheer failure to provide equal rights and entitlements which are to be owned by everyone, the opportunities are becoming increasingly limited for the Australian women to be able to fully participate and exercise rights in the Australian democracy. The structural disadvantages faced by Australian women include the varied application of accountability mechanisms through which their inequalities can be challenged. International legal frameworks provide some form of horizontal accountability among states, but they do not directly address all domestic legal issues.
Another highlight is that Australian law has yet not incorporated all international laws related to human rights, thereby limiting the influence of international bodies (Klare, 2015). The parliamentary committee acts as a scrutinising body, proposing legislation that may conflict with Australia's human rights commitments. Additionally, there is limited public engagement in the legislative process at the federal level. Although economic necessities have pushed women into the active workforce, little has been done to alleviate household burdens or to secure equitable rights.
Understanding legislation aimed at improving the situation of women, especially single mothers, is crucial. Proper application of existing legal means can significantly enhance their quality of life. Studies have shown that women often feel greater pressure and experience more stress compared to men, due to inequalities in domestic responsibilities (Craig & Brown, 2017). Managing household and work obligations alone becomes especially challenging for single women, who do not fit neatly into neoliberal subjects responsible for their own welfare, especially as public support diminishes (Brown, 2015).
Single mothers often face underemployment, exploitation, expensive childcare, and difficulty maintaining a standard of living suitable for survival. Despite these obstacles, advocates have integrated international accountability mechanisms into strategies to address social and economic rights issues (Van Ham & Chappell, 2017). Unfortunately, governments frequently neglect these frameworks, leading to international condemnation. Australia’s ambivalence toward UN human rights processes, including ignoring negative
assessments, hampers progress.
During the recent financial crisis, austerity measures, which might have reduced welfare benefits, were largely avoided; however, social services remain underfunded (CEDAW, 2010). Feminist lawyers and human rights advocates began emphasizing economic, social, and cultural rights of women around 2000, stressing non-discrimination and equal rights (CESCR, 2017). Without full realization of these rights, gender equality remains superficial. The Montreal Principles and General Comments by the CESCR highlight that gender discrimination affects both women and men, requiring a gender-inclusive approach (Otto, 2014).
Existing legislation shows strengths but also significant limitations. While various laws and policies have been enacted, their actual reach and impact on women and single mothers are limited due to lack of awareness and enforcement. Many vulnerable women do not access these supports because they are unaware of available resources or because of systemic barriers. This issue underscores the need for better dissemination and implementation of programs designed to uphold women’s rights.
Policy recommendations include ensuring social and economic rights are recognized and protected at the national level, beyond mere international commitments. Australia's membership in treaties such as CEDAW and ICESCR demonstrates commitment, but efforts to ratify protocols like ICESCR’s Optional Protocol remain incomplete. This absence of ratification impairs access to international dispute mechanisms and reduces accountability (Jung et al., 2014).
The absence of a comprehensive Bill of Rights in Australia leaves social, political, and economic rights vulnerable to political fluctuation. Instead, protections are scattered in various acts and regional laws, limiting enforceability (Capuano, 2016). Liberal political ideology has created a framework where social rights are often subordinate to economic priorities, leaving marginalized groups like single mothers at a disadvantage. Improving awareness, enforcing existing laws, and shaping new policies that specifically address the needs of vulnerable women are essential steps toward achieving equality.