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Media Release: Resource industry joins B20 members to support women’s empowerment

AREEA – Australian Mines and Metals Association

THE resource industry’s employer group AREEA today joins the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and a number of international business organisations in hosting a special event dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the workplace.

Held alongside the B20 Summit in Sydney, the Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business event will see AREEA represent resource employers in discussions on policy and strategies for greater gender workforce diversity.

Through AREEA’s national initiative the Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA), the resource industry has made inroads into addressing its traditionally low female participation.

“Australia’s resource industry is making a concerted effort to attract and retain more women in mining, oil and gas roles and lift the current participation rate of 15.5 per cent to 25 per cent by 2020,” says AREEA chief executive Steve Knott.

“AWRA is delivering a range of innovations, practical programs and information campaigns to assist resource employers on this journey.

“With its evolving skills challenges and important role in driving the Australian economy, the resource industry can greatly benefit from the talent and innovation that increased numbers of women at all workplace levels can deliver.

“We are pleased to support the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) event as our business community unites in the importance of workforce gender diversity and seeks to overcome existing barriers to female workforce participation.”

The WEPs, first developed by the United National Global Compact and UN Women, offer practical guidance to global business leaders on how to empower, advance and invest in women.

“Research by Goldman Sachs shows Australia could increase its GDP by 13 per cent or $180 billion if it closed the gap between male and female participation rates,” Mr Knott says.

“Engaging with the national and international business communities ahead of the B20 and G20 will hopefully instigate greater dialogue around the role of business in harnessing gender equality to achieve sustainable social and economic benefits for all.”

Other event partners include: Business and Professional Women Australia; The Australian National Committee for the United Nations Women; UN Global Compact Network Australia; Corporate Sustainability Australia; and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

For a PDF of this release including relevant media contact, click here.

 

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