Academics from the Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work are available for comment on International Women’s Day on the issues facing women, the push to return to the office, and why diversity, equity and inclusion still matter.
Director of the Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work
Expertise: Gender inequality in paid work, the ‘value’ attributed to women’s and men’s work; flexible and hybrid work; sexism; sexual harassment; history of IWD; industrial relations and regulation.
“There is still much to be done to meet the needs of Australian women workers and address the drivers of inequality, but we are seeing progress in key areas.
“Industrial relations changes have improved pay rates in highly feminised essential sectors including nursing and aged care. This is good for the job quality of women workers in these areas, will positively impact labour supply, and is making a tangible impact on the gender pay gap.
As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, it’s critical that we continue driving systemic change to ensure all women have access to decent pay, secure jobs, good flexibility and strong career pathways.
Professor Rae Cooper AO
Deputy Director Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work
Expertise: Gender in/equality in paid work; the intersection between work and care; public policies for work and care; paid parental leave.
“Women have radically increased their participation in paid work over the past 20 years but still do twice as much care and domestic labour as men. Until our husbands, brothers, sons and fathers step up and share the care load, the Australian economy will continue to forego an estimated $128 billion worth of valuable labour, skills and productivity.
"Sustained investment in high-quality care services, good flexible work opportunities, and gender-neutral paid parental leave is critical to releasing this value and building national prosperity and wellbeing into the future."
Senior Lecturer in Work and Organisational Studies
Expertise: Why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) still matters; how to understand and tackle resistance to DEI; gender inequality in technology; the impact of digital connectivity on job quality; sexual harassment and gendered disrespect at work.
“Managers play a crucial role in either reinforcing or dismantling barriers to diversity. When they understand that fostering inclusive teams doesn’t mean lowering standards, but rather broadening perspectives on what talent looks like, we see real progress.
Ignoring resistance to DEI efforts won’t make it go away. Organisations that engage with these concerns – rather than dismiss them – are more effective in building cultures where fairness and inclusion are genuinely valued.
Dr Meraiah Foley
Senior Research Fellow, Gender and Labour Markets
Expertise: Labour and gender economics; income gaps; jobs.
“Gender pay gaps exist across all income levels. The data from WGEA shows that these gaps grow wider as a company’s average pay rises. This means that women are not only facing lower wages across the board, but they are also being excluded from the highest-paying roles.
“Gender inequality in the workplace remains a widespread and persistent issue that extends beyond pay gaps. Lasting change requires commitment from all sectors of the economy, not only to improve opportunities for women today, but to attract the next generation of women into good jobs.”
Dr Jessie Liu
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Racialisation of the Australian Labour Market
Expertise: Migrant women's experiences of the Australian labour market; racialisation's intersection with gender.
"Migrant women continue to face barriers in the Australian labour market. There remains a lack of recognition of their qualifications and skills, and they face the double-burden of racism and sexism as they navigate the Australian workplace. Like most migrant workers, they also experience high levels of wage theft and exploitation.
"Ensuring skills recognition, equal access to employment opportunities, and inclusiveness in workplaces is key to a more equitable labour market.
Ms Laura Good
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Gender Dynamics of Service Sector Work
Expertise: Building gender equality into the future of work; young women and work.
“Gender inequality remains deeply embedded in Australian workplaces and could worsen with trends like the backlash against DEI, pushes to return to the office, work intensification and technological change.
“Businesses and governments have a chance to reshape work by promoting inclusion, equal pay, anti-discrimination and high-quality jobs for everyone.”
Manual Name : Harrison Vesey
Manual Description : Media Adviser
Manual Address :
Manual Addition Info Title :
Manual Addition Info Content :
Manual Type : contact
_self
Auto Type : contact
Auto Addition Title :
Auto Addition Content :
Auto Name : true
Auto Position : true
Auto Phone Number : false
Auto Mobile Number : true
Auto Email Address : true
Auto Address : false
UUID : H-VESEY