Yarra Council takes the lead on International Women's Day
Wednesday 08 March 2017
Yarra Council is celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March 2017 with a call for other organisations to #BeBoldForChange and step up to forge a more gender inclusive world.
Yarra is a leader in gender equity in local government with a sector-leading Gender Equity Strategy.
Yarra Mayor, Councillor Amanda Stone, said: “Events on International Women’s Day are vital in highlighting and recognising the often overlooked achievements of women. But if we want to make the day meaningful for our community, we must turn words into action.
“It’s important we all look at how we can make our commitment to gender equity something we push every day, not just on 8 March. It’s about putting into action changes that will help us create and support respectful, just and fair communities and workplaces.
“I’m really excited about the changes happening at Yarra where we’re establishing organisational KPIs to achieve gender equity at all levels and adopting a new ‘if not/why not’ approach when recruiting women into roles.”
In its Gender Equity Strategy 2016-2021, Yarra Council will target and address barriers to gender equality, challenge and address stereotypes.
“We’re proud to play a leadership role in our community and encourage other organisations to follow our lead in areas such as flexible work practices and procedures, mentoring/secondment and leadership opportunities for women, as well as training and development so we can recognise and tackle unconscious bias,” said Cr Stone.
The municipality was recently one of only four Victorian councils invited to participate in the Listen, Learn and Lead gender equity pilot program by the state government. Yarra’s feedback will help other local governments address gender inequality in their organisations.
Further information: Brooke Colbert, Communications and Media Unit Manager, on 9205 5122 or 0409 267 439.
Yarra is a leader in gender equity in local government with a sector-leading Gender Equity Strategy.
Yarra Mayor, Councillor Amanda Stone, said: “Events on International Women’s Day are vital in highlighting and recognising the often overlooked achievements of women. But if we want to make the day meaningful for our community, we must turn words into action.
“It’s important we all look at how we can make our commitment to gender equity something we push every day, not just on 8 March. It’s about putting into action changes that will help us create and support respectful, just and fair communities and workplaces.
“I’m really excited about the changes happening at Yarra where we’re establishing organisational KPIs to achieve gender equity at all levels and adopting a new ‘if not/why not’ approach when recruiting women into roles.”
In its Gender Equity Strategy 2016-2021, Yarra Council will target and address barriers to gender equality, challenge and address stereotypes.
“We’re proud to play a leadership role in our community and encourage other organisations to follow our lead in areas such as flexible work practices and procedures, mentoring/secondment and leadership opportunities for women, as well as training and development so we can recognise and tackle unconscious bias,” said Cr Stone.
The municipality was recently one of only four Victorian councils invited to participate in the Listen, Learn and Lead gender equity pilot program by the state government. Yarra’s feedback will help other local governments address gender inequality in their organisations.
Further information: Brooke Colbert, Communications and Media Unit Manager, on 9205 5122 or 0409 267 439.