Curtin University’s commitment to diversity and promoting equity and inclusion has been recognised with the University named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
It is the fourth year Curtin has received the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation, which is designed to encourage, recognise and promote ongoing active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
To achieve the citation, organisations must demonstrate how they are addressing gender equality in areas such as leadership, learning and development, gender remuneration gaps, flexible working and other actions that improve gender equality outcomes.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said she was delighted the University would again receive the citation, which recognises Curtin’s sustained effort towards improving gender equality.
“Improving gender equality is a key priority for the University. Throughout 2017 we have implemented a number of key initiatives, including the Trajectory Program, a career and leadership development program for academic women, and I am looking forward to expanding the program to include all female staff,” Professor Terry said.
“Initiatives like the Trajectory Program, active talent identification and development, peer and individualised coaching, and the establishment of gender equality targets have resulted in increased representation of women across Curtin.”
As a WGEA Pay Equity Ambassador, Professor Terry said achieving gender equality, including gender pay equity, is about tangible changes and ensuring proactive steps are taken to strengthen participation and opportunity for women.
Curtin is also committed to supporting and promoting flexible work arrangements that enable people to balance work and personal responsibilities. This includes a focus on providing universally accessible facilities on campus and the release of the Remote Flexible Workplace Guideline.
WGEA Director Libby Lyons said she was particularly delighted to see some of the innovative and exciting initiatives by this year’s EOCGE citation holders on such issues as flexibility, paid parental leave, supporting women in leadership and addressing gender pay gaps.
“I congratulate all the 2017-18 citation holders for their commitment and recognition of the benefits improved gender equality can bring to their business. These employers are setting the benchmark for other Australian workplaces to follow,” Ms Lyons said.
In 2017, Curtin also became the first university in Western Australia to achieve White Ribbon Workplace accreditation in recognition of its efforts to prevent violence against women.
Curtin is a member of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot of the Athena SWAN accreditation program, a national pilot that recognises best practices in recruiting, retaining and promoting women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM).
Curtin’s Strategic Plan 2017-2020, Gender and Sexuality Action Plan 2017-2020, and the Diversity and Inclusion Policy support gender equality across the organisation.
