This article contains references to rape/sexual assault.
The logo for the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s (PM&C) Women's Network has been removed from the department's website after it was criticised on social media for its phallic appearance.
The purple logo shows a curly purple "W" and a purple bar, which together carries a strong likeness to male genitalia.
A statement released by PM&C late on Monday said the logo has been removed from the website, "pending consultation with staff".
The statement said PM&C staff rebranded the staff diversity networks — which includes the Women’s Network — in 2019, "to establish a consistent look and feel".
"The rebrand was completed internally, using existing resources, and designs were consulted on widely. No external providers were engaged for this work," it said.
"The Women’s Network logo retained a 'W' icon which staff had been using for a number of years.
"The Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office were not part of this logo design."
The logo received widespread criticism when it was shared on social media on Sunday.
Some initially assumed it was a joke, while others were concerned it appeared to contradict the purpose of the Network, which it states is to promote gender equality and support members to succeed in their personal and professional lives.
The National Older Women's Network described the logo design on Twitter as "either thoughtless or an insult".
The Morrison government has been criticised for its handling of women's issues.
The found more than half (51 per cent) of all people surveyed in the report had experienced at least one incident of bullying, sexual harassment or actual or attempted sexual assault.
The review was set up last year in the wake of allegations by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who went public with claims she was raped by a then Liberal staffer in a ministerial office in 2019.
In February, Mr Morrison apologised in parliament to Ms Higgins as parliament acknowledged past bullying, harassment and sexual assault within Commonwealth workplaces.
Labor, the Greens and crossbenchers have been pressuring the Coalition to implement all 28 recommendations of the Jenkins review.
Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters described the logo as "pathetic and juvenile, but completely to be expected from this toxic boys' club of a government".
"Sure, it's just a logo, but if you need a visual representation of just how completely out of touch the PM is with Australian women you honestly couldn't do any better," she said in post on Instagram.
It’s not the first time marketing from the federal government has been pulled following criticism.
It removed two videos last year from an online resource about sexual consent and respectful relationships, including the infamous "milkshake" ad, following community and stakeholder backlash.
The suite of videos, digital stories, podcasts and other materials on was launched as part of the government's $7.8 million Respect Matters program.
But the resource , women's rights groups and politicians for simplistic and often confusing messaging around sex and consent.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence or sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
