Workplaces urged to back equality and diversity efforts

West Australian

3 days ago

Australian workplaces have made considerable progress on gender equality and job quality but experts say some sectors are falling short on senior representation of women and gendered segregation.
As humanitarian crises and foreign aid cuts threaten women's organisations amid a global backlash against gender equality, UN Women Australia is calling on leaders to foster inclusive and resilient workplaces.
"Global instability is leading to the de-prioritisation of humanitarian causes, including gender equality and diversity, equity and inclusion, as governments and organisations redirect resources to immediate crises," chief executive Simone Clarke told AAP.
"Economic pressures are causing cuts to equity-focused roles and programs, while rising job insecurity and political polarisation are undermining inclusive workplace cultures."
While there has been progress and efforts to close the gender pay gap and better value work in highly feminised essential sectors, there is room to do more.
The gender pay gap sits at 21.8 per cent for total remuneration, but this does not make sense given the high levels of education of women, Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion at Work director Rae Cooper said.
"We have significant care gaps where women do the great majority of unpaid care - we need to focus on ways to boost men's contribution here," she said.
"Affordable, accessible and high-quality care is a must if we want to get to a gender equal economy and society, so moving to a model of universal early childhood education is critical."
Professor Cooper will speak at a UN Women Australia panel event on leading with resilience.
She said Australia was at the top of international league tables, with a highly qualified and educated female workforce, but there was more to do.
"To build resilient, inclusive and productive workplaces, Australia must continue its trajectory to foreground gender equality and job quality across the economy," she said.
"We are still not there on strong representation of women in senior and strategic roles and gendered segregation, where jobs and whole sectors are dominated by one gender, is still a problem, so careful attention to these matters is critical."