Mildura Rural City Council has taken another major step forward in its ongoing push to ensure both staff and the community are treated with dignity and respect following development of the organisation's first Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP).
Councillor for Community Development and Gender Equity Helen Healy said the four-year plan has a particular focus on equal treatment and opportunities for all.
"We really want to ensure all employees and their families, as well as potential employees, are treated with dignity and respect," Cr Healy said.
"It's also about making sure there are equal opportunities for career growth and development both professionally and personally.
"As one of our region's largest employers, by introducing and developing these important values and this understanding, it can have a powerful impact out in our community through our employees' own social and family networks."
Cr Healy said the plan highlights priorities relating to gender equality, including a specific commitment to ensuring Council's workforce reflects the principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equality.
"Another important part of our Gender Equality Action Plan is the focus on understanding intersectionality and how different individuals experience inequality both within our organisation and the community," she said.
Intersectionality refers to the ways in which a person's identity can expose them to increased or overlapping forms of discrimination and marginalisation based on multiple social characteristics such as gender, sex, sexual orientation, housing status or ethnicity etc.
"So for Council, it's important we delve into the fundamental characteristics of our staff and that we understand who they are not just as employees but as human beings."
Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent said the plan included a range of practical strategies.
"Mildura Rural City Council is taking action to build a more equal workplace and community," Dr Vincent said.
"This includes incorporating gender equality training in professional development for Councillors, reviewing flexible working arrangements for staff members and capturing gender and inclusion experiences to build understanding of intersectionality in the workforce."
"I am pleased to see Mildura Rural City Council taking these important steps."
Cr Healy welcomed Dr Vincent's endorsement of Mildura's GEAP, using the occasion to announce the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner would give the keynote speech at Council's annual White Ribbon Community Walk in November this year.
"Following a couple of COVID-impacted years I'm excited to confirm not only that our White Ribbon Community Walk is back this year, but that it will be led by such an influential person," she said.
"We welcome Dr Vincent's support for this year's community walk and look forward to our community meeting and hearing from her as part of the event's return."
All Victorian Councils were required to develop a comprehensive plan to progress gender equality in the workplace and community under the Gender Equality Act 2020. It's also a requirement under the Local Government Act 2020 to maintain a recruitment policy that has regard to gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness.
