Gender Compass Stage 2 offers practical tools for gender-wise practice

Australians Investing in Women and Plan International Australia continue to expand and develop their inspiring work on supporting gender-wise practices through the next stage of the Gender Compass research. Here we give a summary of the discussion on 2 September.

The Gender Compass Stage 2 research and Moving the Middle Messaging Guide offer credible, practical tools to support inclusive, values-led communication on gender equality. Launched earlier in the year by Plan International Australia in collaboration with 89 Degrees East, the research and messaging guide were explored in conversation in the online event Guided Giving: Using the Gender Compass in Philanthropy.

The research unpacks detailed survey findings to deeply explore what Australians really think and feel about gender equality. It provides more information on the six distinct audience segments previously identified, and provides rich insights and guidance on how funders can respond with care, confidence and impact. 

The event, with almost 170 registrations, was facilitated by Julie Reilly OAM, CEO of AIIW, and contributors included the lead researcher and social trends analyst Dr Rebecca Huntley, Sarah Buckley, CEO Trawalla Foundation, Peter Walton, CEO Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Hayley Cull, Deputy CEO, Plan International Australia, Dr Jaslin Kalsi of the Minderoo Foundation and Georgina Byron AM, CEO Snow Foundation.

Key takeaways from the session included: 

• “Equity is normal, not controversial” – Australians value equality but underestimate ongoing inequality, reducing urgency for change. The challenge with the “movable middle” is not antagonism but low salience. 
• The movable middle is critical, and now addressable – Stage 2 of the Gender Compass goes beyond segmentation into practical messaging guidance, helping philanthropy re-engage this group while sustaining trailblazers. 
• Values-based narratives work – Messages about freedom to choose your own path, equal opportunity to thrive, and safety and care for others resonate strongly. Communicators are encouraged to balance barriers with solutions and present a hopeful, collective future. 
• Inclusivity is essential – Gender equality benefits everyone, and engaging men and boys as allies is critical for systemic, long-term change. 
• Philanthropic leadership matters – Funders such as the Snow Foundation, Minderoo Foundation and Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation are embedding Gender Compass insights into strategy, communications and partnerships. 
• Momentum is building – More than 500 organisations, from corporates and philanthropists to NGOs, governments and media are already applying the Gender Compass, showing both versatility and growing impact. 

Julie Reilly acknowledged the partners who co-funded alongside AIIW, and shared the research, including Equity Trustees, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, Red Rocketship Foundation, Snow Foundation and Trawalla Foundation.

She said: “Together, we can equip funders and change-makers with the evidence, language, and confidence to advance gender equality and strengthen investment in women and girls.”

The Messaging Guide and resources are available on the Plan website, along with the more details of the Gender Compass Stage 2 research.

Women Deliver 2026

AIIW hosted another event on 28 August – a conversation between representatives of the Gates Foundation with Australian funders, government stakeholders and philanthropic partners to discuss opportunities leading up to Women Deliver 2026 (Melbourne) and beyond.

Key themes emerging from the discussion included:

• Gates Foundation’s focus on care, capital, contraceptives and gender equality.
• Australia’s opportunity to lead – leveraging its role in Women Deliver 2026 (and potentially COP31) centring Oceanic Pacific and First Nations women’s leadership, particularly at the intersection of gender and climate.

The call to action for funders involves coordinating on collective asks, investing in regional leadership, curating donor engagement opportunities and shaping accountable announcements that align with global policy arcs.

AIIW will continue to convene funders and partners in the months ahead to build on this momentum and ensure strong alignment leading into Women Deliver 2026.