"No sector can solve this alone. Leadership is required and it must be accompanied by accountability. We have much to learn from each other."
ANSTO, Raytheon Australia, Science and Technology Australia and the University of Sydney have heeded this gender equity call and today become the inaugural Champions of the Women in STEM Decadal Plan.
The call for greater accountability and leadership was made by the Australian Academy of Science and the Academy of Technology & Engineering at the launch of the decadal plan earlier this year.
The decadal plan provides a framework to guide the actions of government, industry, academia and the education sector over the next ten years, to achieve gender equity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at The Australian Academy of Science, Louise Moes, said organisations can become a champion by aligning their gender equity activities to the six opportunities outlined in the decadal plan and committing to providing an update on progress in their gender equity journey in 12 months.
"Our inaugural champions have shown they are committed to make the step changes required to realise the vision of the decadal plan, have begun taking action to achieve change and want to share their journey with others," Ms Moes said.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews called on more organisations to become Women in STEM Decadal Plan Champions.
"Women make up sixteen percent of the STEM workforce in Australia, so help is needed to encourage more women to the STEM sector and keep them there," Minister Andrews said.
"We need your support and we want to know what your organisation is doing and how we can help you bring about this much needed change.
