Women in male-dominated industries: A toolkit of strategies

Today the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has released Women in male-dominated industries: A toolkit of strategies.

The underrepresentation of women in industries considered to be male-dominated – mining, utilities and construction – is an issue that is not only undermining gender equality in Australia, but is having negative effects on industry performance and our economy. The Commission’s Toolkit was been developed to help address this problem.

“This is not merely a report, but an interactive website developed to encourage dialogue, engagement and sharing of approaches about increasing women’s representation in male-dominated industries,” Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick said.

This toolkit is designed to assist leaders in organisations to develop and implement constructive and sustainable strategies to increase the representation of women in non-traditional roles in male-dominated industries. It provides practical suggestions and examples of different kinds of workplace strategies and mechanisms across four areas of: attraction, recruitment, retention and development of women.

These examples have been drawn from current practice both within Australia and internationally and through desk based research, interviews and roundtables with employees, HR practitioners and leaders from organisations in the mining, construction and utilities industries. Not all strategies and mechanisms will suit all organisations or workplaces. Organisations will need to consider what is appropriate for their workplace, staff and business needs.

Download the kit from the AHRC website