SHIRE of Mundaring will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) by continuing to encourage a workplace culture that will think, act and be more gender inclusive.
The annual global event, held on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also marks a call to action for accelerating gender balance, aptly represented by this year’s theme ‘Balance for Better’.
Shire of Mundaring Councillor Kate Driver said the Balance for Better theme was not only a women’s issue.
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“Gender balance is really a business issue too,” she said.
“Continuously striving to achieve this balance is essential in order for economies and communities to thrive.
“Whether it’s within local government, in media coverage or in the boardroom, everyone can help achieve a better gender balance by adopting a collective and shared responsibility approach”.
Acting Director Strategic and Community Services Shannon Foster said the female workplace participation rate at the Shire of Mundaring is above the public sector average.
“The shire offers a family-friendly work environment which we consider is the key to attracting and retaining good staff, irrespective of their gender,” she said.
“Our progressive workplace culture encourages the professional development of all employees.”
Deputy Shire President Lynn Fisher said International Women’s Day was an ideal opportunity to reflect on the many women residents in the shire who have made – or continue to make – significant contributions to the local community.
One such example is late esteemed Greenmount resident Katharine Susannah Prichard, a famous West Australian author and social justice campaigner during the 1920s and 1930s. The shire’s new library at the Boya Community Centre was named in her honour.
“International Women’s Day is a perfect platform to celebrate inspiring women and pay tribute to those in the Shire whose courage and examples have led to significant social change for women,” she said.
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