The Andrews Labor Government is funding nation-leading research to boost gender equality and help create a fairer workplace into the future.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins today announced the successful recipients of the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector's 2022 Research Grants Program - at the Advancing Women's Leadership Summit in Melbourne.
The recipients will share in $300,000 to analyse data across the public sector and form projects to help reduce gender inequality, discrimination and disadvantage.
They will also examine the data to ensure Aboriginal women, multicultural women, women with disabilities, parents and carers and rural women are included in the analysis of the current state of gender equality in Victoria and feel safe and welcome at work.
The recipients and projects include:
- University of Melbourne, the Australian Discrimination Law Experts Group and Work Futures Hallmark - 'Caring and Workplace Gender Equality in the Public Sector in Victoria'
- Griffith University, Macquarie University and The Australian National University - 'Make Us Count: Understanding Aboriginal women's experiences in Victorian public sector workplaces'
- Monash University - 'Victorian Local Councils and Gender Equality: Examining the intersections for women from non-English speaking backgrounds'
- Federation University, Women's Health Grampians, ByFive and the Wimmera Development Association - 'Rurality and Workforce Participation: Exploring prevalence of part-time & insecure work in Grampians Public Service roles'
- Queensland University of Technology and Disability Leadership Institute - 'Getting on at work: Progression and promotion of women with disability in the Victorian Public Service'.
The grant program forms part of the Labor Government's $8.3 million investment to implement the Gender Equality Strategy, which includes delivering training and resources to progress gender equality and support the implementation of the Gender Equality Act.
The Advancing Women's Leadership Summit is led by the Government's Gender Equality Advisory Committee (GEAC) and brings together some of the nation's most inspirational leaders to address key issues and barriers for women seeking leadership positions in local government across Victoria.
Established in 2021, the GEAC is co-chaired by Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and provides advice to the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Women to address gender inequality in local government elected officials.
The Hon Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia, was one of several leaders to share their experience at the Summit, which also helps shape the pathway to achieving the Government's target of 50 per cent female councillors and mayors by 2025.
For more information about the funded projects, visit genderequalitycommission.vic.gov.au/research-grantsExternal Link.
As stated by Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins
"This research funding will help us to build the status of women and will give us the tools to break down the barriers that women face in the workforce."
As stated by Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne
"All too often, deciding to take public office or take on a leadership role is a challenging decision for women. The Summit is about understanding the barriers and identifying solutions to ensure we reach our 2025 target."
As stated by Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Niki Vincent
"These research projects will deepen our understanding of how gender and other aspects of a person's identity may operate to compound the experience of discrimination, so we can work to better address this in workplaces."
