The program is a new initiative for the West Australian council, intent on increasing the representation of women in key decision making roles within the organisation.
The Shire is committed to a diverse workforce enabling women to fully contribute, reach their full potential and build successful careers.
Organisations that are employers of choice for women have access to a larger talent pool, are well positioned to represent the needs of their residents and communities, and understand the link between a higher proportion of women in top management and increased success.
Augusta-Margaret River believes its current managers and executives do not reflect the diversity of the local population and customer base – particularly in terms of gender and cultural diversity. This limits diversity in decision making which reduces the capacity to reflect the interests, concerns and needs of the community.
Council introduced the program with the aim to become a better Local Government through increased numbers of women in executive positions.
The program has been developed in response to a number of research documents which highlighted the under representation of women in management roles within the Local Government sector across the country.
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is committed to the following strategies:
ï ëvaluing the difference’ through developing a culture that embraces gender equality
ï removing barriers such as gender bias, and valuing work/life needs
ï bridging the divide by supporting women in their career aspirations.
The strategies are broken down into targets, actions, key performance indicators and assigned responsibility within the organisation.
The Women in Leadership program will be reviewed this year following internal surveys and national outcomes from the 2010 Year of Women in Local Government.
For more information contact Tessa Dornan telephone (08) 9757 2712.
