Gender Equality Leadership Statement and Action Plan

The Gender Equality Act 2020 requires Victorian Public Sector Agencies, including councils, to take meaningful action to promote workplace gender equality and embed gender equity in policies, programs, and services.

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Wellington Shire Council Gender Equality Leadership Statement

Wellington Shire Council is committed to fostering a workplace and community where all individuals - women, men, and people of self-described gender - are valued, respected, and provided with equal opportunities. We acknowledge our leadership role in driving positive change for gender equality across our workforce and community.

To achieve this, Wellington Shire Council will:

• Conduct a workforce gender audit to assess representation and workplace equality
• Develop and implement a Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) to address challenges and opportunities
• Introduce initiatives that remove structural barriers to gender equality and support career progression
• Monitor and publicly report on gender equality outcomes using established workplace gender equality indicators.

Wellington Shire Council is committed to embedding gender equality principles across all Council policies, programs, and services by:

• Providing gender equality training for staff and Councillors to build awareness and accountability
• Collecting and analysing gender-disaggregated data to inform inclusive decision-making
• Applying a gender impact assessment to policies, programs, and major projects to ensure equitable outcomes
• Taking an intersectional approach to address how gender inequality can be compounded by other factors such as age, disability, and cultural background.

Through these actions, Wellington Shire Council aims to create a fair, inclusive, and diverse community where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and feel safe and respected.

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Gender Equality Action Plan

In line with the Gender Equality Act 2020, Wellington Shire Council is committed to fostering a workplace culture of gender equality. Our Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) is a four-year roadmap that will guide our efforts, ensuring that gender equality is embedded in every aspect of our organisation, from strategic initiatives to daily operations.

The foundation of this plan was laid through a comprehensive workforce gender audit conducted in June 2021. The findings of this audit were submitted to the Commission for Gender Equality and have directly informed the development of this action plan. By listening to the experiences of our people, we’ve taken a critical look at our systems, policies, facilities, and procedures through a gender lens to better understand where we can improve.

This plan is not just a document; it is a call to action. It outlines clear steps to ensure everyone at Wellington Shire is valued, respected, and provided equal opportunities, regardless of gender. As an employer, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all employees, where diversity is celebrated and gender-based barriers are removed.

We acknowledge the experiences shared by our staff and the wider community, and we’re committed to addressing these with integrity, transparency, and accountability. The actions outlined in the Gender Equality Action Plan will strengthen the work we’ve already undertaken, ensuring we continuously progress towards a more inclusive and equitable organisation.

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Gender Equality Progress Report 2021-2023

In line with the Gender Equality Act 2020, Wellington Shire Council is committed to fostering a workplace culture of gender equality. Our Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) is a four-year roadmap that will guide our efforts, ensuring that gender equality is embedded in every aspect of our organisation, from strategic initiatives to daily operations.

In line with the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector requirements, the progress report includes:

• Gender Impact Assessments for new and updated policies, programs, and services that directly affect the community
• Progress on the 7 workplace gender equality indicators
• Updates on the actions and strategies in the workplace Gender Equality Action Plan

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Overview of Progress:

Gender Impact Assessments (GIA's)

• Between 2021 and 2023, three GIA's were completed with three leading to positive changes for gender equality.

Gender Equality Action Plan 2021-2025

• 5 actions completed
• 13 actions in progress
• 8 actions not started
• 4 actions on-going

Workplace Gender Equality Indicators

• Progress has been made on 5 of the 7 indicators
• Workplace Gender Audit: Data is available on the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector’s Insights Portal along with comparison data for other defined entities, including other Victorian councils