John Monash Scholars 'marching forward' on gender equality

Thirty years after the world pledged to advance gender equality at the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we’re still not where we should be. But women continue to lead change—pushing boundaries, shaping policies and creating safer, more inclusive spaces.

This International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate three remarkable John Monash Scholars who are making a tangible impact on the lives of women and girls, from tackling gender-based violence to advocating for better parental leave and legal support for women in crisis.

Tackling gender-based violence in online and climate spaces

“I am leading work seeking to embed prevention efforts into two key settings including climate action and natural disaster responses, and the online space. ”

Meet Freya Jansens, Principal, Freedom from Violence at the Minderoo Foundation & 2019 Roden Cutler NSW John Monash Scholar.

At the Minderoo Foundation, Freya is embedding gender-based violence prevention into climate action and disaster response efforts while tackling online misogyny. Her work focuses on protecting diverse voices in the political sphere and ensuring online spaces don’t enable gender-based violence.

As climate change intensifies, so does the risk of gender-based violence in times of crisis. Freya is working to ensure gender equality is at the forefront of policy responses to climate disasters, both nationally and internationally.

Freya’s leadership is shaping safer, more inclusive digital and environmental spaces for women and girls.

Using law & creativity to support women’s safety

“On the impact of Famin Makes, it has raised $75,000 for Women's Legal Service Queensland, raised awareness about domestic violence and, importantly, has started many conversations about domestic violence. ”

Meet Famin Ahmed, Founder of Famin Makes & 2024 Queensland Government John Monash Scholar.

A lawyer by day and sewist by night, Famin started Famin Makes to raise funds for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ). Through handmade hats, scrunchies, and masks, she has raised over $75,000 to support women escaping domestic violence.

Beyond fundraising, Famin is sparking vital conversations about domestic violence. Whether addressing audiences of 3,000 people or seeing her designs worn as conversation starters, she’s bringing awareness to the life-saving legal support WLSQ provides.

For many women, a single phone call to WLSQ can mean the difference between staying in danger or finding a path to safety. Famin’s work ensures more women have access to the legal resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Advocating for better parental leave policies

“My startup, Crayon, advocates extensively for parental leave. As you might be aware, 80% of the gender pay gap is attributed to the motherhood penalty, as women take time out of the paid workforce to raise the next generation.”

Meet Stephanie Pow, Founder & CEO of Crayon & 2013 NSW Premier’s John Monash Scholar.

Crayon is New Zealand’s leading parental leave advocacy organisation, tackling the motherhood penalty—which accounts for 80% of the gender pay gap.
Stephanie launched New Zealand’s Parental Leave Register, the only verified database of employer parental leave policies, covering one in six working Kiwis. This transparency helps future parents plan and encourages businesses to improve their policies.

Beyond advocacy, Crayon supports working parents through its Financial Baby Prep Program, partnering with companies like Suncorp New Zealand and Vulcan Steel. Now, Stephanie is taking her expertise to Australia, where she is advocating for legislative reform and consulting industry leaders on change.

To learn more about International Women's Day, go to the United Nation Women website.