Ambassador for Women and Girls

Today we announce the appointment of Dr Sharman Stone as Australia's third Ambassador for Women and Girls.

The promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are strong drivers of economic growth, development and stability and remain priorities for the Australian Government.

Under the Coalition Government, Australia's foreign policy, aid and economic diplomacy efforts have advocated women's leadership, economic empowerment and ending violence against women and girls, particularly in our Indo-Pacific region.

As Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls, Dr Stone will continue to promote Australia's efforts in gender equality and women's empowerment in bilateral, regional and global forums, including at the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Dr Stone has played a leadership role in championing the rights of women and girls, both in Australia and globally. She had a distinguished 20-year career in the Australian Parliament, progressing major issues that affect women and girls, including the elimination of child marriages, human trafficking and poverty reduction.

Dr Stone will take up her position in January 2017.

We thank the outgoing Ambassador, Natasha Stott Despoja AM, for her leadership and effective advocacy in this role over the past three years and for her success in expanding Australia's influence on gender equality around the world.