City seeks feedback on gender equity policy

THE City of Greater Geelong has released the Bagurrk Gender Equity Framework for community input to inform the development of an action plan that will ensure all of the city’s policies, plans, services and programs commit to gender equity principles.

“Ba-gurrk” is Wadawurrung for woman, and was incorporated in the framework title to pay homage to Wadawurrung traditional owners.

The framework addresses gender equity as a community and organisational issue and will guide the city’s community-based activities and responses, as well as internal policies and procedures.

It builds on the work and recommendations of the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee and the City of Greater Geelong’s Family Violence Action Group.

The framework was developed in consultation with community members, government and non-government organisations and city employees.

Now open for broader consultation, the aim is to take this feedback and develop an action plan that will ensure all policies, plans, services and programs developed by the city are committed to gender equity principles to achieve a fair and inclusive community.

The Action Plan will reflect broader conversations with community groups that regularly experience inequality and discrimination such as Aboriginal women, women from culturally diverse communities, migrant and refugee women, rural and regional women, women living with a disability and trans and gender diverse people.

The city has also identified the need to address its small numbers of women in leadership and management positions.

Achieving gender equity has emerged as a community priority as recognition of how it contributes to a civil, safe and healthy society is increasing.

There is also international evidence showing countries with higher levels of gender equity have lower levels of violence against women and children.

The Ba-gurrk Gender Equity Framework is open for feedback until August 10 and will be returned to the council for consideration.

This is an important document guiding council and the organisation as we work towards gender equity,” acting mayor Peter Murrihy said.

“I urge the whole community to provide their feedback – creating a culture of respect and equality needs to involve individuals, families, businesses, communities, sporting groups and the media.”