Minister Applauds 2009 Employer of Choice for Women Recipients
Tanya Plibersek, today congratulated the successful organisations which will this year receive the Employer of Choice for Women citation for creating workplaces that encourage women to contribute their full potential.
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) today released the names of the 111 organisations that had met stringent criteria to show that they were improving outcomes for women.
“These 111 organisations recognise the challenges women face in the workplace and are responding,” Ms Plibersek said.
“Addressing inequities in the workplace is not just the right thing to do – it also makes business sense.
“I hope that Employer of Choice for Women organisations will inspire and encourage other businesses to promote diversity and create female-friendly conditions.
“I’m really pleased that the number of organisations on the EOWA 2009 Employer of Choice for Women citation list has increased over the past year as we know many organisations are doing it tough the current global economic climate.”
Ms Plibersek said Australia has made advancements towards women and men better sharing life at work and home, yet women still face challenges in being fully valued in the workplace.
“Significant improvements in gender equality require a shift in attitude from the entire community, including businesses, and that’s why these awards are so important,” Ms Plibersek said.
Australia is pursuing three key priority areas for advancing gender equality:
- improving women’s economic outcomes and financial independence;
- ensuring women’s voices are heard at all levels of decision-making; and,
- reducing violence against women.
Australia’s accession to the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) came into effect two weeks ago.
“The Rudd Government has a comprehensive agenda for women that attempts to address the challenges working women grapple with every day,” Ms Plibersek said.
For a full list of the Employer of Choice organisations please go to Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (www.eowa.gov.au) website