Monday, 24 August 2009
Recession: no reason to forget about gender equality
Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, said today that the recession made it more important than ever for the Government and business to stay focussed on gender equality.
Commissioner Broderick said a report released today by The Australia Institute, entitled The impact of the recession on women, highlighted the disadvantage faced by women in the workforce once again.
“Not only does this report again make it clear that there are significant barriers to women’s full and equal participation in the paid workforce, but it says the Government’s stimulus package will do little to improve women’s employment outcomes,” Commissioner Broderick said.
Ms Broderick said that the report underlined just how important it is for Australia to build a social infrastructure featuring quality, affordable child care and flexible work arrangements that will support all employees as they strive to balance their paid work and caring responsibilities.
“This sort of social infrastructure would not only greatly assist individual women and men to achieve balance in their paid work and caring lives, it would also help business to tap into a broader pool of skills and talent, which can only benefit the nation’s economy,” the Commissioner said.
Commissioner Broderick quoted the World Economic Forum, which has said that, over time, a nation’s competitiveness depends significantly on whether and how it educates and utilizes its female talent.
“This is one of the reasons we should enact the recommendations of last year’s Senate Inquiry into the Sex Discrimination Act - to improve the law so that we can better eliminate discrimination and promote gender equality,” Ms Broderick said.
Commissioner Broderick said the importance of removing the barriers to paid workforce participation for women could not be overstated.
Media contact: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
