New international strategy to improve gender equality

Ending violence against women is one of the key priorities of the international gender strategy. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Gender equality is being put front and centre of Australia's foreign policy approach, with a new strategy to end sexual and gender-based violence and promote women's economic equality.

But advocates say the strategy will need to be paired with a significant, targeted funding boost to Australia's aid budget to tackle systemic discrimination faced by women and gender diverse people.