The Department of Communities has announced it plans to use the purchasing power of the State Government to encourage businesses and organisations to address gender inequality in the workplace.
The Department said it had been working closely with the Department of Finance to develop and deliver a Pilot test which has 15 State Government agencies participating to help advance gender equality in WA businesses and communities.
It said that when tendering for selected Government contracts, WA organisations were being asked to answer gender equality questions.
“Data collected on Tenders WA will inform the next steps in implementing gender equality,” it said.
The Department said that evidence from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency reveals that there are positive outcomes when businesses start to take visible action on gender equality policies and initiatives.
“The WA Government aims to encourage businesses and organisations of all sizes that participate in government procurement to play their part in creating gender equal workplaces in their everyday operations,” the Department said.
“Developing and implementing resources to support gender equality measures within WA Government procurement processes is an initiative of the Second Action Plan under the Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality plan (Stronger Together),” it said.
“Stronger Together is the first whole-of-Government, long-term plan to advance gender equality in Western Australia through four action plans between 2020-30.”
The Department said WA was one of the first jurisdictions in Australia to introduce a gender equality clause into selected public sector procurement processes.
Minister for Women’s interests, Simone McGurk welcomed the plan saying significant advances had been made to remove barriers faced by women but there was still a long way to go to bring about lasting solutions and achieve equality for women.
“This initiative will use the purchasing power of the State Government to ensure companies are playing their part to address gender inequality in the workplace,” Ms McGurk said.
“Research shows companies with gender diversity are more profitable and productive and have improved employee satisfaction and decision making,” she said.
“It is not only the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense to support and champion gender equality and I am proud the State Government is taking the lead on this important issue.”
Detailed information about the Gender Equality in Procurement website can be accessed at this PS News link.
