WA sets gender target for SES roles

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The Western Australian public service will be required to meet a target of 50% women in Senior Executive Service positions under a new gender equality plan.

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, the state government has launched Stronger Together.

The 10-year plan sets out a long-term coordinated approach to addressing gender inequality, and provides a roadmap for industries, communities and individuals to drive change, according to Women’s Interests Minister Simone McGurk.

The plan is accompanied by specific initiatives, including a target of 50% women in SES public service positions; trial by the public sector to report agency data to the Workplace Gender equality agency; and a commitment to examine opportunities to use the WA government’s purchasing power to “incentivise suppliers to support gender equality policy and practice”.

McGurk said a whole-of-government approach that engaged businesses, communities and individuals would be the only way to achieve effective and long-lasting change.

“There are several levers that governments can use to promote gender equality — one is our workforce, and another is using government contracts to reward suppliers who support gender equality,” she said on Wednesday.

“We have listened to women’s voices across Western Australia, and heard loud and clear what the issues are: balancing work and family responsibilities, the gender pay gap, prevention of family and domestic violence, attitudes to women in the community, and representation of women in leadership.

“Without action on this issue, Western Australia risks being left behind because it would not be harnessing the talent and potential of every member of our community.”

Outcomes will be reported regularly over the next 10 years to track progress.

McGurk noted that statistics show women in WA are at considerable risk of violence and abuse — including in their own homes. They also have the biggest gender pay gap in Australia, of 22%, compared to 14% nationally.

The plan promotes the reduction of violence against women, and a family and domestic violence strategy will be released later this year.

Thousands of women and girls from across the state contributed to the plan through government consultations.