- Minister for Women
More Victorian women will have the skills they need to excel on boards and in leadership after taking part in the Women's Board Leadership Program with the support of the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams today opened applications for this year's Women's Board Leadership Scholarships, with this year's program including streams on strengthening board skills for culturally diverse women and teaching foundations of directorship.
Last year's program saw more than 90 diverse women from across the state improve their board capabilities through courses, workshops, mentoring and networking opportunities.
The program supports the government's gender equality strategy Safe and Strong and its ongoing commitment to appoint 50 per cent women to paid government boards, a pledge which has now been met.
Gender equality in leadership positions increases business performance. Research by the Peterson Institute for International Economics into 21,980 firms from 91 countries showed that firms with at least 30 per cent women in leadership positions were 15 per cent more profitable.
Despite this, women continue to miss out on the highest levels of leadership, with representation of Aboriginal women, women with a disability, and women from culturally diverse backgrounds particularly low.
There are still 23 companies in the ASX200 with no women in their executive leadership team - that's why the Labor Government has invested over $3 million in women's leadership since 2018.
Applications for Women's Board Leadership are open to all women in Victoria with one to three years' experience on a community or government board or committee of management.
To apply visit vic.gov.au/women. Applications close on Tuesday 10 September.
As noted by Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams
"We're making sure women are fairly represented in leadership and board roles, so they're not excluded from valuable career opportunities and businesses get the proven benefits to their bottom line."
"This comprehensive program ensures we're creating a pipeline of women ready to take on roles which will ensure boards better represent the communities they represent."
