National Women's Alliances

Five National Women’s Alliances represent over 180 women’s organisations in Australia

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CSW61 – Side Event (Co-Hosted Australian Government, JERA International & eS4W)

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SAVE THE DATE

Workforce Participation – the future of work and the promotion of flexibility to help working families

Thursday 16 March 2017, 1.15-2.15pm
Australian Consulate (150 East 42nd Street)

Speakers:

  • Opening Remarks and Chair: Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, Minister for Women, Australia
  • Ms Judith van Unen, CEO JERA International
  • Ms Monica Latin, Head of Human Resources America, ANZ Banking Group
  • Ms Sarah Keren, Regional Manager CISCO Systems and CISCO Connect Women Initiative NY
  • Dr Chandrika Sepali Kottegoda, Asia Pacific Women Watch, Sri Lanka
  • The Hon. Mereseini Vuniwaqa, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Fiji

All G20 countries have agreed to reduce the women’s workforce participation gap by 25 per cent by 2025. This has the capacity to bring more than 100 million women into the global labour force, which would grow the global economy and lead to greater economic security for women.

To achieve this goal, women will need to work in a diverse range of roles and industries, including where they have been traditionally underrepresented. Equally, men will also need to take on non-traditional roles, both in the workplace and in the home.

Governments also need to look at the structures and incentives in place for women to fully participate in the economy. Women’s workforce participation needs to be reframed as an economic issue as well as a social one – greater participation is good for women, good for society and good for the economy.

The Event: this event will explore the structural barriers to women’s participation in the workforce, including child care, parental leave and incentives built into taxation. It will look at options for supporting women to innovate, become entrepreneurs and pursue careers in growth industries. Discussions will include the potential for employment systems to be flexible for both men and women, and how to encourage both men and women into non-traditional roles.

Target Audience: Leaders, decision makers and influencers in a variety of nation states looking at how they may implement programs which increase women’s workforce entry and participation and provide flexibility to help working families.

RSVP: Judith van Unen or Carole Shaw: ceo@jerainternational.org  / Sharen Page: coordinator@security4women.org.au