Curtin continues to show pride for its commitment to creating an environment free from discrimination and harassment.
In this year’s Pride in Diversity Awards, Curtin was ranked third in the Top 20 employers nation wide and was ranked highest amongst the Australian universities.
Pride in Diversity is Australia’s first and only not-for-profit workplace program to assist employers with the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex (LGBTI) employees.
The Pride in Diversity Awards are determined using Pride In Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) that evaluates and benchmarks LGBTI inclusiveness in Australian workplaces.
Since introducing the AWEI five years ago, the number of employers participating have increased by 152 per cent, with Pride in Diversity now reporting to have over 9000 employees participating in the employee survey.
“The focus on LGBTI inclusion initiatives has increased substantially,” says Pride in Diversity Director Dawn Hough. “We are really looking at our Top 20 Employers now as examples of good practice.”
Maz Rahman from Curtin’s Ethics, Equity and Social Justice team received the Sapphire Inspire Award for her contribution as an out female role model helping workplaces become inclusive.
The new Sally Webster ALLY Award was presented to Kristina Bennett from Westpac. The award honours the late Sally Webster’s tireless work in promoting LGBTI inclusion and support in the workplace. Sally was a long time staff member at Curtin who sadly passed away late last year. Fittingly, the award was presented by her husband Evyn and their sons Luke and Josh.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry was delighted by the results and reiterated Curtin’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment at Curtin.
“Curtin is committed to supporting diversity in sexuality and gender,” says Professor Terry.
“These awards are a wonderful recognition of this commitment and I congratulate all those involved.”
The awards ceremony coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which Curtin acknowledges each year.
This year Curtin will launch Trans Support – A Guide about Gender Transition at Curtin University, a guide that addresses the needs of staff or students who choose to gender transition while at Curtin.
Find out more about Curtin’s commitment to diversity.
