Opinions of WA men and women

From wonder woman, to pretty woman, to bionic woman, in the year 2012, women around the world have to be super women. Despite earning on average $12,000 less per year than our Australian male counterparts (Source: CommSec, Switzer Business News, 20 August, 2010), somehow women do it all, helping shape states, cities and nations.

On International Women's Day, some leading WA women and men, share their thoughts on the issues that affect our lives.

HOLLY RANSOM (Chair, Young UN Women, Perth)
SANDRA COOK (State Manager, Corum Health Services)
DR DAWN BUTTERWORTH (President, NCWWA)
COLLEEN EGAN (Walkey Award-Winning Perth Journalist, Author and Assistant Editor The West Australian)
FIONA REID (AOD Programs Coordinator/Family Therapist)
COLLEEN HAYWARD (Head of Centre, Kurongkurl Katijin, Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research)
JANET DAVIDSON - JP (IWD Committee Member)
CAROLE THEOBALD (Immediate Past President, Zonta Club of Perth)
ANNE BANKS-MCALLISTER (Chairperson UN Women Perth Chapter, Chairperson International Women's Day Steering Committee)

Holly Ransom
Chair, Young UN Women, Perth

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
Dr Fiona Wood- her incredible work ethic and dedication to helping others. Perth Lord Mayor. Lisa Scaffidi- for her progressive leadership and commitment to creating opportunities to develop young leaders. My grandmother (Dorothy Clarke)-for her ability to talk to anyone and always make them feel like they are the most important person in the world- she brings out the best in everyone and is the most compassionate person I know!

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
Leadership, compassion, intelligence, integrity, courage.

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
I wish that they could all be happy, healthy and have enough confidence to pursue their dreams.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
Excellent people management skills/ability to create strong and cohesive teams; an incredible work ethic; conflict resolution skills; excellent client/customer relations; strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
So important! Women play an incredibly important role in both those realms and not only should neither be viewed as more important than the other but more attention needs to be drawn to the contribution of women in both! In addition, at a time when households with two working parents are becoming the norm, the fact that research shows that if a husband and wife work full time the wife still ends up doing 2/3 of the housework suggests that we're still not recognising.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
Because we are not as confident as men when it comes to negotiating our contract s - they'll demand what they want with conviction and we'll say 'just pay me what you think is fair' or not be anywhere near as bold in putting a figure on what we're worth. We need to get better at knowing our worth and demanding our worth!

2011 - 2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
It had better! Western Australia is the worst in the country with a pay gap of 24% versus the national average of 19%- this is completely unacceptable! I think there's a complacency about the issue because it seems the commonplace response to hearing we have a pay gap is just to blame it on the mining boom but the medical services industry and a number of other professions have pay gaps either bigger or on par with the mining sector.

It needs to be a decade of change in this area because in 2011 it is not acceptable that there is such a pay gap, to make no gains in closing this gap over the next 10 years would be embarrassing.

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO'S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that when women have children they take a couple of years out of the workforce and find it very hard to get back on their pre-children career trajectory when they return, meaning that we're failing to get enough women to senior management positions. Companies need to start experimenting with more flexible work options and implementing back-to-work schemes that assist women to get back into the corporate work and get them to where they want to be within the corporate hierarchy.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Because it's a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of women to society and recognise the strides we've made in respect to the women's rights movement. It's also an important opportunity to reflect on the challenges we still face in securing equal rights for women worldwide.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
I think in WA International Women's Day plays an important role in recognising the contribution of women to the Western Australian community and also plays an important role in profiling Western Australia's female leaders, which provides crucial role models for young WA women.

SANDRA COOK
STATE MANAGER, Corum Health Services  

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
Edith Cowan as a pioneer for women’s political rights.

Dr Lekkie Hopkins from the Women’s Studies unit at ECU for her ability to enthral and empower so many women from such diverse backgrounds

Pat Giles for her enduring commitment to women’s rights both locally and internationally

Sharryn Jackson for her sheer determination in pursuing her commitment to working equality for women.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
A heart for helping others; commitment to a cause while treating others with respect.

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
Security: financial, physical and emotional.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
Inclusiveness.  A sense of humanity that demands recognition that our private roles are not discarded when we enter the workforce.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
Vital to the social and economic wellbeing of Australia. When it is recognised it is valued; when it is valued it is given the status it deserves.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
Too many women are grateful that they can work in a job that lets them juggle their family commitments and hence are not demanding. The lack of transparency of salaries in businesses denies women the opportunity of knowing what others earn and hence realising their own financial potential.

2011 - 2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
Yes I do. But it will take real effort. Campaigns such as equal pay day need to expand to reach a broader audience and highlight the existing inequity – it needs to target both employers and employees. The combination of skills shortage and an ageing workforce should work in women’s favour to demand improved processes.

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO'S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
Birds of a feather flock together; we need an increase in the critical mass of women on boards if we are to see any significant improvement in the recruitment of women in the near future. This will not happen with out setting targets that will in turn create a pipeline for women in leadership roles and senior management. The workplace was designed by men – for men. It needs to change – if not voluntarily then compulsorily.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Most significantly this is a global celebration where women around the world can reflect on their achievements. It reminds us that our social, political and cultural rights were not won easily. It took guts and incredible determination. Celebrating IWD calls us to commit our resources to ensuring all women, regardless of age, race or religion can enjoy the benefits that IWD proclaims.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
Women united are an unbeatable force. IWD in WA can remind us that it is the little things that create difference and that in the big things of life we are one. We are 50% of the population – do we have 50% of the influence? We face a 24% gender wage gap! By all means celebrate but IWD should remind us we have a long way to go.

Dr Dawn Butterworth
President, NCWWA

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
I admire Edith Cowan (truly a woman ahead of her time) for her outstanding work on behalf of women, their families and the WA community at large. As an inaugural member and President of NCWWA from 1913-1921, Edith Cowan provided leadership and campaigned successfully to have women appointed on juries; a Census Board appointed for films; a ban on the sale of intoxicants to boys and a ban on the sale of immoral literature and pictures; the appointment of women police; the passing of anti-gambling legislation; and the introduction of a Referendum Bill on the hour of closing of liquor bars. She also campaigned for the payment of a basic wage and proper provision for women and children in a father’s estate. Domestic science was to be a compulsory subject in schools and part of a university science degree. In 1921, Edith Cowan became the first woman to enter parliament in Australia, where she continued her outstanding work on behalf of WA families.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
The qualities that I admire most are leadership, humanity, resiliency and innovation.

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
The opportunity for self-actualisation.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
• The ability to manage several matters simultaneously.
• High level organisational skills.
• Compassion for others.
• Commitment.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
It is of greatest importance to recognise the work that women do in the home, since this underpins the wellbeing of their families. This is particularly the case for women who wish to devote their full time and energies to the care and nurturance of their children in the first four years of their lives: the most important years in their children’s development and the most exacting task undertaken by women.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB

 Traditionally, most paid workers were males and women engaged in unpaid or voluntary work.  Because it was unpaid, society deemed it to be less important and this attitude has been slow to change. Also, women comprise the largest number of people in low-paid unskilled jobs.

2011 TO 2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
We have already seen dramatic changes in the area of pay parity and as more males enter fields traditionally dominated by females (e.g. child care), they will drive further changes.

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO'S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
• Selection panels tend to be dominated by males.
• Many women interrupt their career paths to rear children, which pushes them down on the promotional ladder.
• Because of family commitments, many women are unable to pursue promotion, particularly in other locations.
• Many lack a supportive, encouraging, sharing spouse at home to facilitate coping with a high level position in addition to home.
• Not all women desire to take on the added responsibility of being a company CEO or board director.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
It is of vital importance to remind the community at large of the outstanding contributions that women throughout the world make to the care and well-being of their families and communities.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
• In WA, IWD celebrations bring women together in solidarity and friendship.
• IWD reminds everyone of the vitally important role that women have played in the past and continue to play in our community.
• It also highlights the plight of millions of women throughout the world who do not enjoy those basic human rights that we take for granted.

Colleen egan
walkey award-winning perth journalist, author and assistant editor the west australian

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
I most admire the WA women (and their partners) who choose to go without material possessions and financial comfort to look after their young children at home if they don't have access to high-quality child care. I have been lucky to be able to return to work while my children have been raised at home. I balance work life with caring for young children – and I know that staying at home can be much more demanding, challenging and tiring than going to work. Women who stay home do not get the recognition they deserve.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
The combination of strength and gentleness.

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
To be ambinable to return to flexible, part-time work with access to high-quality, nurturing care for our babies and young children.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
I think that good women bring much the same qualities to the workplace as good men – wisdom, intelligence, ethics and honesty.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
Being at home with young children can be very isolating and demanding. When I get accolades at work I often feel that my women friends who stay at home all week are the ones who deserve the credit.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
Many women I know do not feel comfortable asking for pay rises.  Women will often take more responsibility but not ask for the salary to match it.

2011 TO  2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
I hope so - but a significant number of working mothers will always choose flexibility over extra pay to reflect the priority of their children.

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO'S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
It's no coincidence that our two most senior women politicians - Julia Gillard and Julie Bishop - do not have children.  Many women decide to have children before getting to a high level of seniority.  Most mothers are just not willing or able to devote their lives to very time-consuming jobs.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
It's a good time to reflect on how far we've come and think about ways to improve the lives of women who have not reached equality.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
Awareness of women's issues locally and abroad.

FIONA REID
AOD PROGRAMS COORDINATOR/FAMILY THERAPIST

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
There are so many women that I admire in WA, both within my private life and in professional and public spheres. However the first woman that comes to mind who I have great admiration for is Dr Tracy Westerman – Managing Director of Indigenous Psychological Services. Dr Westerman, of the Nyamal people near Port Hedland, is first Aboriginal person in Australia to have earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology. My admiration is based on two key elements.

The first is the amazing contribution she has made to not only indigenous communities but also the wider Australian community. I believe she is pioneer in the transformation of psychological theory and practice, integrating and influencing western paradigms with the significant lived experience of Aboriginal peoples; validating  and normalising, historical, cultural and spiritual influences upon Indigenous mental health and well-being.

The second reason is more personal and perhaps an experience very common to women everywhere, particularly those who managed to achieve greatness despite their marginalised status. Within my own extended family I am the first to attain a University degree and in doing so realise many of the dreams for a better future of the generations of my family before me. It is the hard work and determination of these previous generations that has provided me with the opportunity and privilege to follow my dreams and make a positive difference in my community. Dr Westerman is an amazing example of what women can achieve and an inspiration to women everywhere to strive for their best and realise their dreams.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
There are so many, however the top  qualities I rate and admire in a woman are:

1. The capacity to love and nurture
2. Compassion
3. Tolerance
4. Wisdom
5. Humility
6. Creativity and vision, and the ability to put these into concrete actions
7. Continuing to learn and grow, whilst acknowledging the expertise she already has.
8. Women that speak up for those who can’t even when the personal cost is high.
9. Integrity
10. Laughter

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
To live without violence. The impact of violence upon women, their families, Australia and the wider International community is one of the most significant issue humanity faces, not just in terms of health and well being, but also economically. The granting of this one wish would not only benefit women, but the whole of the West Australian community in the most profound ways. 

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
Working for Women’s Health Centre, which is staffed entirely by women, I am constantly amazed at the diversity of qualities women bring into the workplace. From leadership and strategic thinking to compassion and integrity. Importantly women work hard, they see the bigger picture alongside the individual needs, and they are committed and passionate about what they do; often going above and beyond to ensure the work gets done.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
The recognition of women’s work, both at home, and in the workplace/paid and unpaid, is vital, if we are to have a fair and equitable society. Women’s work is the foundation upon which our society is built and where our future is established. When the work women do is not recognised we create the belief that women are unimportant, unvalued and insignificant. Yet without this contribution our children and families would not thrive, our schools, hospitals and service industries would collapse and our business places and governments would place ‘market’ and industry needs above human and environmental needs.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
Unfortunately because of the positive nurturing qualities women are socialised for and tend to display, there are whole sectors of work that rely on and are based on the pay inequity between men and women. The recent government’s submission to Fair Work Australia regarding the Australian Services Unions pay equity case highlights the potential cost of the wage increase and the threat it poses to the budget to surplus. It can therefore be surmised that women are not paid equally to men, for doing the same job, because societies economic functioning depends on it.

2011 TO  2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
I hope so, but for significant changes to pay parity (as the previous comment outlines), not only in Australia, but internationally, there needs to be a significant shift from the current economic and social paradigms. The majority of western economies are based on Milton Friedman’s Chicago School of economics and the ideology of the free market, which I would argue supports pay ‘disparity’. In order for there to be significant change in pay parity there needs to be a significant shift to a more mixed economy, where people have greater value than profits.

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO'S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
The reasons for there still being so few women in WA who are CEO’s and board directors are complex and multifaceted, but in essence:

• Women’s paid working lives and careers are often interrupted by extended period’s unpaid work, most often as primary carer of the young, old and unwell.
• Whilst there are equal numbers of women in tertiary education and increasingly trade apprenticeships, their career trajectory is interrupted and limited by these interruptions (see point above) or they are mature age and late in starting their professional careers.
• The majority of women work in community, health, education, clerical, customer service, hospitality and non-government sectors, as well as unpaid work within the home and volunteer sector, which limits their opportunities to develop senior level management roles and career development.
• Women often undervalue their work and capacity and therefore do not vision themselves in these roles, nor apply for them.
• In some sectors the ‘boys club’ and unwritten rules are still very influential. As a result women are often excluded from developing into these roles or excluded from the opportunities.
• The expectations and work conditions of these roles are often inflexible and do not consider the multiple paid and unpaid roles most women undertake.

Despite these challenges many women do attain and achieve success in these roles and do so on their own terms. Surely it is only a matter of time until women are more equally represented?

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
It's a good time to reflect on how far we've come and think about ways to improve the lives of women who have not reached equality.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to not only highlight the social, economic and political challenges facing women all over the world. It is not often that women are in the spotlight (more often they are in the homes, kitchens, hospitals, schools, offices and generally behind the scenes), and told they are IMPORTANT, whoever they are and whatever they do!

It is a day:

• to acknowledge women’s roles, contributions and importance
• to recognise our challenges and the great achievements we have made towards overcoming these
• to support other women both locally and internationally
• to reflect upon the past and make plans for the future
• to share stories and inspire each other

and most importantly ‘CELEBRATE’ Women with our fellow women and men.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
I believe International Women’s Day has a role in the WA Community as an event that brings people together and inspires greatness. As a state wide, inclusive and diverse CELEBRATION, alongside being a platform to highlight important issues affecting women locally and internationally, it has the potential to shape the future!

COLLEEN HAYWARD
HEAD OF CENTRE, KURONGKURL KATIJIN, CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
My favourite woman is my Mum. Her name is Grace but everyone calls her Nanna – even when they’re not related to her. She had six children with only eight years between the oldest and the youngest and surpassed gender and race bias to excel at her profession and with her family. She taught us fairness and raised us in absolute safety – including cultural safety – allowing enough room for us to develop as individuals. She Set standards against which I still judge myself, though she never judges me in turn. She continues to support us and my life would be less without her.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
Intelligence and compassion especially when this translates into a drive to make positive changes to our society. I also admire women who promote and support other women and who don’t change their style (and seemingly their whole persona) when they work with men.

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
Safety and security in all its forms.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
Women bring a number of qualities to the workplace including compassion, better communication skills (and the style to go with it), active listening skills and a preparedness to consult and to share in the accolades/other rewards that follow a job well done.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
It is important to do both – perhaps especially the work women do in the home as I think this is still grossly under-estimated, under-valued and under-recognised.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
Often, various bureaucratic systems present barriers that women either can’t get over/around or who choose not to try for a variety of reasons. Too many systems still make it easier for men to win promotions, lots of board rooms are still ‘boy’s clubs’ and women are often more likely to choose to invest in other life priorities.

2011 TO  2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
Only if we win more senior level promotions…

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO'S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
Some women are denied this opportunity and some opt for other paths including because they don’t want to put themselves in the position of the ‘games’ one still has to play to succeed in what in many ways is still a ‘man’s world’.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
For the steps that have been taken towards equality with men, there is still much to be done – none of us can afford to sit back and think ‘close enough is good enough’ when we all deserve better.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
For me, IWD is a timely reminder of all that women have achieved over time as well as how far we have yet to travel on that journey. It is also about recognising women for what they do every day and celebrating that with each other.

JANET DAVIDSON - JP
IWD COMMITTEE MEMBER

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
Mrs Julie Michael, wife of the WA Governor.  Never fails to be involved with all of the activities.  Is Patron to lots of organisations, e.g. National Council of Women of Western Australia. Works tirelessly with her husband.  A great role model of being involved in the community.  A stalwart – turns out on all occasions, despite not always feeling the best due to health issues.  A great family person and very sincere.

However there are very many women (thank goodness) in Perth, Western Australia who are strong, great leaders and fantastic role models.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
Strength of character, professional, decision maker, caring, visionary, honesty, integrity and with a great sense of humour.  Savvy.

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
Good health and happiness – no greater gift.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
They understand the work ethic, balance between work and family life (not always easy to achieve), commitment, dedication, great leaders and very task oriented – ask them to do a job and it will be done.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
Critical as it is to recognise the contribution of men in work and at home.  However women working with partner/husband and children and may be aged parents – their juggling of all of this needs to be highly recognised.

Superwoman is not a bad description – it takes some working out.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
This should not still be happening but women are the ones who may break their careers and therefore they are penalised plus superannuation can be affected.  Should be corrected – good negotiating skills required.  Organisations brought to task if this is still occurring.

2011 to 2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
Yes – no doubt being worked on.

Great strides in the next decade with regard to work/life balance, paid maternity leave, working from home, different structures accepted.

In 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO’s AND BOARD DIRECTORS
Careers interrupted – children or aged parents.

More role models needed.

Boards need to support female board members – push by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Women supporting women at board level, local government, across all industries.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Always have and always will.  Great time in history when first initiated.  Those who have gone before should not be forgotten.

Acknowledges women’s contributions.

Why would you not celebrate?  Let’s party and tell the stories.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
This will be the biggest celebration for IWD across the whole of Australia.

IWD to be showcased for the whole of Western Australia – it’s a great state, there are many great women and men in Western Australia – so why wouldn’t we celebrate and tell the world.

Carole Theobald
Immediate Past President, Zonta Club of Perth

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
I admire and respect the Aboriginal women elders I know in the Kimberley, such as Nancy White and Yvonne Burgu at Ngallagunda on the Gibb River Road, who ‘grow up’ the children in their very remote communities.  With so little, they achieve so much, providing children with love and as much stability as possible.  I also admire the Remote Area Nurses such as Mary Jane Lynch at Ngallagunda who live and work with remote Aboriginal communities.  Also Leah Umbagai a talented artist from the Mowanjum Community near Derby, who, through the Ilerla Project, works tirelessly with her community to increase the capacity of families to be safe and healthy.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
I admire the qualities of women who lead with femininity – calm, strong and persistent – no bluster or ego – just getting on with the job.   I admire those who face adversity such as flood, fire, drought, poverty and family separation with tremendous endurance but can still raise a smile and help others in challenging times.  I admire those who are the ‘glue’ in communities, rarely seen, but without whose efforts communities just don’t get off the ground.  Women often put in that bit extra – to family, friends, workplace or community – bringing fun, making the cake, welcoming the new workmate, caring for children and ageing parents, giving a hand where it is needed without fanfare and generally putting the cherries on the cake of life!

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
Freedom…from violence and discrimination.  Everyone has a right to feel safe at home, work and play and to be given a ‘fair go’ regardless of their gender, age, physical looks, ethnicity, culture, creed or ability level.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
Women are great organisers - we are also very creative, caring, intuitive and inclusive.  We have a great capacity for work and can multitask effectively.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
Everyone likes to be acknowledged – though when I look around me, it is mostly men that receive that acknowledgement.  There aren’t many statues, parks, buildings or rivers named after women – yet they worked just as hard as men to build this country.  IWD is an efficient way of reminding the community that women are valued and they can and do make a difference to the lives of individuals, the efficiency of a workplace and the development of our nation.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
Many women don’t have the freedom to pick and choose a job –if I need that job as it fits in with my family responsibilities i.e. accommodates school hours, study, is on the right bus route, is near a day care centre, or close to home to look after an ageing parent etc, then my negotiating power is weakened.  I will take the base pay just to get the job and feel lucky to have a job that fits in so well.  The value of a job for many women, is not just the money, it is how it physically fits in with other considerations. 

2011- 2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
If we raise awareness of the pay differences and empower women to negotiate more effectively for their pay, then I think there will be more opportunity for progress towards pay parity.  Also when the caring role in families is more equally shared between men and women, career breaks will be shorter and more accepted.  I think that a ‘parenthood break’ or a ‘carers break’ is a valuable asset on the CV- there’s nothing like a 24 hour a day demanding job to find out what you are made of!

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO'S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
To be a company CEO or board director, you have to want to achieve that goal and many women have other priorities.  Some women I know have had many careers and see this as precluding them from having the depth in one area that they would consider essential to make them suitable for those types of jobs – and often this is because their ‘careers’ are a succession of jobs taken to fit in with family responsibilities.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
We need a special day to stop and think about the lives of women and reflect on our own attitudes and actions towards them.  On IWD we can learn to take simple actions that can have a huge impact on so many lives.  For example, as a woman I will check that I’m not contributing to the erosion of the value of women in my language, for example, by saying things like “I’m only a ….”; and also make more of an effort to speak out when women’s actions are trivialised, for example, by the media when they report women’s clothes or looks, taking the focus away from their words and actions.  IWD is a great opportunity to just stop, think and take action.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY PLAYS IN WA
WA is a very male dominated state – with huge mining and construction industries that pay a mainly male workforce, large salaries to work in remote places.  Some women contribute to the success of these industries by taking jobs on the mines, but so many more contribute behind the scenes: the women that give up their careers to live with their mining partners and children in remote places away from extended family and the women that juggle the family responsibilities in the ‘fly-in, fly-out family’.  (This term may apply just as well to military families and those where a partner works away from home for prolonged periods.) 

The richness of the mines is in stark contrast to the hard times of the farmers throughout WA who are suffering from flood or drought and women in rural communities are doing what they can to support their partners and communities, often taking on work outside the farm to help make ends meet.

Then there are the women of this state who build the communities that make this such a super place to live – the volunteers in school canteens, on sports grounds and in service organisations – all contributing to the lives of others.

In WA, IWD is a time for the State to say thank you for that support.

Anne Banks-McAllister
Chairperson UN Women Perth Chapter, Chairperson International Women’s Day Steering Committee

WA WOMEN WE ADMIRE
Edith Cowan, elected in 1920 as WA’s (and Australia’s) first female Member of Parliament is an inspirational woman who fought for women’s equal rights and worked tirelessly for women and girls in this State. Her contribution to the rights of future generations of women was enormous.

QUALITIES WE MOST RATE AND ADMIRE IN A WOMAN
I admire women who contribute their experience, talents and passion for the good of others – whether in the family, community or in the workplace. I love the practical ability of women to juggle several roles, support others and still get the job done.

A WISH FOR ALL WEST AUSTRALIAN WOMEN
To be safe, economically independent, well educated - and to have equal opportunity to be or do whatever they want.

QUALITIES WOMEN BRING INTO THE WORKPLACE
Women are brilliant at asking the hard questions and communicating effectively in the workplace. Their preference for working collaboratively with other people makes them great consensus builders in organisations.

WHY WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THE WORK WOMEN DO AT HOME, AND IN THE WORKPLACE
Equal rights are about supporting and respecting the choices and contributions women make – whether in the home or the workplace. Our families, communities and organisations all benefit from these contributions – all ultimately creating to the type of society we so much value in WA.

WHY WE THINK SOME WOMEN ARE STILL NOT PAID EQUALLY TO MEN, FOR DOING THE SAME JOB
I suspect that many women focus on the job rather than the rewards and have not yet learned to value the real worth of their contribution. Women generally don’t have the skills or experience they need for negotiating effectively – and don’t ask for help!

2011 TO 2021 - A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE AREA OF PAY PARITY
Organisations will have no choice if they are to attract and retain good workers to meet the growing and competing demands of the resource sector. This will be a time for women to learn the skills of negotiating!

IN 2011 - WHY SO FEW WA WOMEN ARE COMPANY CEO’S AND BOARD DIRECTORS
Most women are passionate about their area of expertise and often feel uncomfortable about stepping into broader management roles – they often won’t apply unless they can meet all the selection criteria for an executive role. Women also don’t think about how their skills and experience might translate into a non-executive Board governance role; and how they can develop new skills and communicate their desire to sit on a Board. Men on boards need to actively mentor and recruit women on to their boards if the current ratios are to change.

WHY WE SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Supporting International Women’s Day is an important way of showing respect for the often unsung contribution of women while providing them with encouragement for the future. We all know that strong women make strong communities.

THE ROLE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PLAYS IN WA
International Women’s Day in WA provides an opportunity each year for men and women to recognise how far we have come, while still providing a spotlight on the challenges ahead. Internationally, the day reminds West Australians of the significant issues continuing to face millions of women and girls around the world.

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