SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE

FUNDING FOR SIX PROJECTS TO BOOST WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT AND LEADERSHIP

The Albanese Government will invest $15.84 million to fund six projects that will see women’s workforce participation boosted and women’s representation in leadership positions increased.

Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, said the projects, which will be funded over four years and directly benefit 5,000 women nation-wide, go hand-in-hand with the Government’s emphasis on women’s economic equality. 

“At the Jobs and Skills Summit last week, we heard loud and clear that ensuring that women have equal opportunities and equal pay is the key to unlocking productivity in our economy,” said Minister Gallagher

“These grants go beyond creating job opportunities for women and towards actually addressing structural and systemic barriers that impede women’s employment and progression into leadership positions, particularly in male-dominated industries.”

Minister Gallagher emphasised the Government’s keen focus on helping women from diverse backgrounds to achieve their leadership goals.

“We know that there are greater barriers faced in the workforce by First Nations women, women with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse women.”

“These projects will contribute to the broader efforts required to address these barriers, alongside efforts to close the gender pay gap and ensure women’s economic equality.”

The projects are funded from the Women’s Leadership and Development program, following an open competitive grant round earlier this year.

Details of each grantee and their project is available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women webpage.

MORE INFORMATION:

Organisations and projects funded under the latest round from the Women’s Leadership and Development Program highlighted the difference the grants will make to women’s economic participation and equality.

Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited – Yanalangami Strong Women, Strong Communities Program 

• “This grant will support leadership and economic participation for our First Nations women by investing in their cultural leadership, strengths-based empowerment models, professional skills, networks and pathways, creating positive and impactful community-led and community-driven change,” said Dr Belinda Russon, CEO of Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited.

Diversity Council Australia Limited – EnhancingCulturally and Linguistically Diverse Women’s Pathways into Leadership Roles

• “This grant will help us build the leadership capability of culturally and racially marginalised women and train national organisations to ensure systemic barriers locking disadvantaged women out of leadership in Australian businesses are removed,” said Lisa Annese, CEO of Diversity Council Australia.

Global Sisters Limited– Back Her Brilliance

• “Through this investment we will support over 2000 women to generate their own income, increase financial resilience and build their confidence to make Australia a fairer and more inclusive place for all,” said Mandy Richards, Founder and CEO of Global Sisters.

People with Disability Australia Limited – Advancing Women with Disability in the Workforce

• “We know that representation matters, and this grant will provide us the opportunity to tackle barriers and significantly improve how women with disability participate in Australia’s workplaces and leadership roles,” said Sebastian Zagarella, CEO of People with Disability Australia.

University of New South Wales – Attracting, Retaining and Empowering Women in Construction

• “This funding makes it possible to implement a life-cycle approach to generate a sustained increase of women’s workforce participation and leadership positions in construction,” said Dr. Cynthia Wang, Senior Lecturer from UNSW’s Construction Management Discipline.  

Women in Seafood Australasia – Turning the Tide for Women in the Australian Seafood Industry.

• “This funding will secure our future and deliver real change for women working in the Australian seafood industry, including building pathways fostering workplaces that are inclusive and safe for all women,” said Kirsten Abernethy, Executive Officer of Women in Seafood Australasia.

THURSDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 2022