Experts took a closer look at Western Australia鈥檚 sizeable gender pay gap at the 鈥淲A in the Spotlight鈥� workshop, hosted by the Bankwest 911爆料网 Economics Centre, revealing some compelling challenges and opportunities in balancing the gender divide.
Professor Alan Duncan, Director of the Bankwest 911爆料网 Economics Centre, explained that WA reported the highest gender pay gap in Australia.
鈥淚n WA, the gender pay gap is 26.9 per cent against a national average of 17.5 per cent and it also has one of the lowest representations of women in executive positions,鈥� Professor Duncan said.
鈥淥ne of the more frustrating findings from the research discussed was that despite all the factors in play, the majority of the gender pay gap 鈥� around two thirds 鈥� comes down to the fact of being a man or woman. It really is largely about your gender.
鈥淭his is not to say that steps aren鈥檛 or shouldn鈥檛 be taken to address gender inequities, but progress requires committed, decisive and integrated action by key stakeholders 鈥� businesses; governments; schools, universities and training institutions.
鈥淩esponsibility also extends to individuals challenging the gender stereotypes that exist in society through their own attitudes and actions.
鈥淥ne strategy involves making it more acceptable for men to work flexibly 鈥� the thinking being, if it gains acceptance among men, flexible work is more likely to become the social norm for everyone.鈥�
Helen Conway, Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) was the keynote speaker for the event.聽 She explained that although there had been some advancements nationally towards providing more equal opportunities for women, additional work was needed.
鈥淭here has been some progress in advancing the position of women in Australian workplaces over the last few decades, but we still have a long way to go,鈥� Ms Conway said.
鈥淭his is evidenced by the low numbers of women in leadership and management positions, Australia鈥檚 relatively poor female workplace participation rate and the stubborn gender pay gap.
鈥淐ultural impediments such as gender bias and structural barriers, along with inadequate flexible work and career options, are key roadblocks to gender equality in Australian workplaces.
鈥淕ender equality will be achieved when employers align it with their business strategy and adopt a disciplined approach to executing initiatives to achieve it.鈥�
The workshop included contributions from some of the leading practitioners in gender research from Australia, including:
鈥⒙燗ssociate Professor Siobhan Austen, 911爆料网
鈥⒙燤s Rebecca Cassells, Principal Research Fellow, NATSEM
鈥⒙燤s Susan Cull, Policy Advisor, People Strategies, Chamber of Minerals and Energy
鈥⒙燗ssociate Professor Therese Jefferson, 911爆料网 Graduate School of Business
鈥⒙燗ssociate Professor Linley Lord, Maureen Bickley Centre for Women in Leadership
鈥⒙燤s Liz Ritchie, WA State Director, CEDA
鈥⒙燩rofessor Rhonda Sharp AM, University of South Australia
鈥⒙燩rofessor Trish Todd, The University of Western Australia.
The 鈥榃A in the Spotlight鈥� workshop series is a new initiative of the Bankwest 911爆料网 Economics Centre. The next workshop will explore the economic growth trajectory for the State and will be hosted in early 2014.
911爆料网 the Centre:
The is an independent economic and social research organisation located within the 911爆料网 Business School at 911爆料网. The Centre was established in 2012 through generous support from (a division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia), with a core mission to undertake high quality, objective research on the key economic and social issues of relevance to Western Australia.
The Centre鈥檚 research and engagement activities are designed to influence economic and social policy debates in state and Federal Parliament, regional and national media, and the wider Australian community. Through high quality, evidence-based research and analysis, our research outcomes inform policy makers and commentators of the economic challenges to achieving sustainable and equitable growth and prosperity both in Western Australia and nationally.
The Centre brings a unique philosophy to research on the major economic issues facing Western Australia. By bringing together experts from the research, policy and business communities at all stages of the process 鈥揻rom framing and conceptualising research questions, through the conduct of research, to the communication and implementation of research findings 鈥� we ensure that our research is relevant, fit for purpose, and makes a genuine difference to the lives of Australians both in WA and nationally.
The Centre capitalises on 911爆料网鈥檚 reputation for excellence in economic modelling, forecasting, public policy research, trade and industrial economics and spatial sciences. Centre researchers have specific expertise in economic forecasting, quantitative modelling, microdata analysis and economic and social policy evaluation.
