WOMEN IN PRINT'S GENDER EQUALITY POLICY

Women in Print has issued a Gender Equality Policy, which sets out principles and strategies for the ongoing improvement in gender equity to be standard industry practice.

“With the recent Australian Chief Executive Women’s Census reporting only four of the past year’s 28 executives, across the ASX300 companies, being women, female executives are declining. We must remain focused. The census reveals, at this rate, it will take Australia 100 years to achieve 40 per cent of female in leadership positions. Our industry is desperately short of skilled labour, why would we not engage 50 per cent of the workforce,” stated Susan Heaney, founder and chair, Women in Print.

The primary objectives of the policy and their beneficial outcomes are outlined in the Women in Print Gender Equality in the Workplace = increase business success report, which prioritises the following four key areas:

• Attract: create a culture that will attract a greater number of women to enter the industry and across all work types and roles.
• Recruit:  improve current recruitment methods and practices to increase the application and participation of women.
• Train and Develop: undertake to provide women with purposeful and valuable training that will advance their skills and their careers within the industry.
• Retain: actively work to retain women within the industry at any stage of their career.
Evaluate – periodic review of the actions undertaken, results and possible further improvements.

“By implementing this policy, industry members and stakeholders can connect their business objectives and goals to help tackle this issue and grow a more profitable business. Businesses who understand and engage in equal gender representation are 48% more likely to outperform businesses who do not,” added Kellie Northwood, executive secretary, Women in Print.

The policy recommends businesses consider identifying gaps in their current practice and determine achievable actions and goals to meet the above-mentioned priorities and principles in their recruitment and retention processes.