Gender equality’s big boost

THE region’s leading gender equality organisation has announced a key appointment to improve the lives of local women before International Women’s Day on Monday.

As a member of the Action for Gender Equality partnership, Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West has been selected as a trusted supplier by the state government’s Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector to provide advice and support to workplaces implementing the Gender Equality Act 2020 from March 31.

It means public sector organisations impacted by the Act, such as councils, health services, universities and TAFEs, will have a local expert gender equality organisation to call on to help them prepare, transition and transform.

The Act requires public sector organisations with more than 50 employees to address the key drivers of gender inequality in workplaces, then plan, measure and track progress towards workplace gender equality.

WHWBSW chief executive Emma Mahony said the appointment was timely given this year’s International Women’s Day theme was Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.

“After a tumultuous year for Victorian women, where they lost jobs at a greater rate than men, reduced their super balances and carried the burden of essential care work and home schooling, the opportunity for us to be selected to work closely with our region’s organisations to advance gender equality is a welcome one,” Ms Mahony said.

“A world in which all people can access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities is fundamental to creating a gender-equal world, which improves the lives of women and girls, and the Gender Equality Act provides an amazing platform for our public sector organisations to be champions of change.

“In addition, gender-equal workplaces are central to creating more profitable and productive economies and flourishing businesses.”