Monash sets gold standard in gender equality
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has, once again, awarded Monash University with the prestigious WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation.
The citation is strategically aligned with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act), reflecting the change in promoting and improving gender equality for both women and men, while recognising the historically disadvantaged position of women in the workplace.
Statistical analysis conducted by Monash University indicates that for research intensive universities the challenge to improve the representation of senior women in research is greater. The exponential growth achieved by Monash in this space over the past decade, in contrast to its peers, is the result of the University’s concerted and comprehensive efforts to improve gender equality.
President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AO said the citation reflected the University’s strong leadership commitment to gender equality.
“Monash believes that gender equality is central to excellence in education and research. We strive to attract the most talented people and to provide women real opportunities to excel in their careers.”
The citation follows the announcement of Monash University as one of six finalists in the 2015 Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) Award for Gender Equality in the Workplace and as an inaugural member of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter. Membership in the Athena SWAN accreditation program, aimed at improving gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), requires institutions to identify weaknesses or shortcomings, develop and implement plans to improve them and provide evidence of outcomes.
“Monash recognises that more has to be done and that a ‘business as usual’ approach will not achieve the desired results. This is why we are committed to addressing the ongoing challenges, including closing the gender pay gap and improving representation of women in STEMM disciplines,” Professor Gardner added.
WGEA Director Libby Lyons said the initiatives demonstrated by this year’s EOCGE recipients showed that more employers were taking a sophisticated and whole-of-organisation approach to supporting equal representation from women and men at all levels in the workplace.
Libby Lyons went on to say, “These employers are at the frontline of delivering positive change as they set the gold standard for inclusive workplaces.”
Only 90 organisations in Australia received the citation this year, a full list of the 2015 WGEA EOCGE citation holders by state and by industry is available on the Agency's website.