With a background in project management and business development, Tegan is the face of our Central team, playing a crucial role in the development and growth of the Centre.

Passionate about driving positive change, she advocates for inclusivity and accessibility and is committed to making a meaningful impact in the alcohol and other drug sector.

Where have you seen the greatest progress made in gender equality, and where do we still have work to do to ensure the empowerment of all women and girls?

In Australia, I believe the most significant progress has been in education and career opportunities for women. Women and girls now have greater access to higher education and professional fields that were once male-dominated; workplaces are also becoming more open to female representation in senior positions.

We are very fortunate to have the backing of initiatives such as the Australian Government's Working for Women strategy to help push for more economic security, leadership pathways, and workforce participation for women, which is a step in the right direction. However, we still have a long way to go.

An important area where work needs to be done is in women's health, particularly regarding reproductive health. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action called for gender-sensitive healthcare decades ago, but we are still fighting for basic recognition and research into women's health issues today.

What are your hopes for the next generation of women and girls, and what actions can we take today to support their journey?

I want the next generation of women and girls to never have to justify their place at the table. I want them to walk into any room, any job, any opportunity, and be treated with the same respect and value as any man. I want them to be able to speak up without fear of being dismissed. I want their ideas to be considered on merit, not gender.

I want them to grow up knowing that their value is not tied to their ability to have children. Their value is in who they are — their talents, their aspirations, their existence.

What can we do right now to support them:

Challenge gender bias in both hiring and promotion decisions.

Encourage girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers: studies have shown that women entering medical professions can help close the gender health gap; their unique perspectives can lead to more inclusive research and a better understanding of gender-specific health issues.

Support and encourage investment in women's health research to ensure that women's reproductive, pain and medical concerns are taken seriously. We need more research into female-specific health issues so the next generation of women don't face the same dismissals and lack of answers we do.

Encourage and mentor young women. I believe having role models and support networks could significantly impact a young woman's career and self-confidence; and we should all aim to get involved and support the future of women’s rights.

I don’t want the next generation of women to have to fight the same battles we are fighting today.

What does marching forward for gender equality look like for you, and why is it important that we remain united and steadfast in this fight?

Marching forward for me means not staying silent.

I'll be honest — when I was first asked to share my thoughts, my instinct was "why me?", I work alongside so many talented, driven, and inspiring women, and I wondered if my voice was needed.

But then I realised — that's exactly how these things happen. It's so easy to sit back and wait for the 'right' person to speak up. But if we all wait, who actually will?

Marching forward means holding decision-makers accountable — whether that's in government, in workplaces, or in society. I think the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has made a great roadmap for gender equality, but words mean nothing without action.

Breaking down generations of bias is an ongoing battle. The assumptions that women are less capable, less rational, or too emotional are so ingrained that even in the most progressive environments, they still creep in. It's exhausting, but we have to keep pushing forward. 

Who do we bring along with us when we march forward, and how do we ensure that boys are raised to become men who can march along with us?

Ideally, we bring everyone along. Men, boys, allies, and entire communities.

Gender equality isn't just a "women's issue" — it affects everyone. It's about creating a society where people are valued for who they are, not their gender.

So, how do we raise the next generation of boys to be men who march with us?

Teach boys that equality is strength, not weakness. Respecting women, advocating for fairness, and calling out discrimination should be the norm, not the exception.

Encourage them to use their privilege and strength to speak up. It's not enough for boys to quietly believe in equality — they need to actively challenge sexism when they see it, whether that's in conversations in the locker room, in workplaces, or with friendship groups. 

And particularly for the younger generation to understand - this isn't about women versus men. Gender equality is not a competition for power. It's about fairness, choice and respect. It's about making sure we all have the opportunity to start at the same starting line.

Imagine what we could achieve if men and women worked together as equals in a truly united society.