The South Australian Chiefs for Gender Equity and the Premier’s Council for Women will host an event at the Open State Festival to discuss gender stereotypes in the workplace. They plan to challenge common myths and biases that still exist. The panel discussion will be led by local business leaders and will provide solutions used by SA businesses to recognize and eliminate entrenched biases related to recruitment, promotions and workplace policies in order to increase gender diversity, innovation and productivity.

1.
Media Release
tunity
Equal Opportunity Commission
Government of South Australia
COMMITTED TO GENDER EQUALITY. Page 1
19
September
2017.
For
immediate
release.
OPEN
STATE
EVENT
SA
Chiefs
to
shine
a
light
on
gender
stereotypes
at
work
• With our national gender pay gap sitting at 16 per cent and our economy losing around
$300bn a year, what’s to be done? SA’s Chiefs for Gender Equity together with the
Premier’s Council for Women (PCW) will tackle this issue and discuss gender bias in
the workplace at a Future Enterprise session, part of the Open State Festival to be held
in the city later this month.
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The South Australian Chiefs for Gender Equity and the Premier’s Council for Women plan to smash
some common myths later this month by addressing hidden gender bias in our workplaces at a
breakfast to be held as part of the Open State Festival on Thursday 28 September in the CBD.
The panel discussion will be led by local Chiefs David Martin from law firm Finlaysons and
Matthew Salisbury from engineering giant WSP Group and Premier’s Council for Women
members Anna Lee and Vicky Welgraven . Discussions will shine a light on common myths and
gender stereotypes that still remain in many workplaces -­-­ and solutions pioneered in SA
businesses.
The session provides a chance for managers and business owners to learn how to recognise and
eliminate entrenched bias in recruitment processes, to unlock greater innovation, and create higher
productivity across the workforce.
PCW member Louise Pascale will MC the event, starting with a keynote speech from Atena
Abrahimzadeh from the Zahra Foundation to help unpack the true impact of gender inequality in
society.
Dr Niki Vincent, South Australian Commissioner for Equal Opportunity and Convenor of the
SA Chiefs for Gender Equity group, said the Future Enterprise session will challenge current
policy and explore ways to achieve meaningful equality.
A report by the Organisation of Economic Co-­Operation and Development (OECD issues paper,
2016) found gender-­based discrimination has decreased global income by 16 percent, or US$12
trillion.
“Lack of gender diversity in our businesses and getting more women trained and promoted to
leadership roles is one of the biggest challenges we face in this state because ultimately it affects
our financial and non-­financial bottom line.” Dr Vincent said.

2.
Media Release
tunity
Equal Opportunity Commission
Government of South Australia
COMMITTED TO GENDER EQUALITY. Page 2
A study released this month by Chief Executives Women (CEW) confirms men still hold the majority
of executive leadership roles in ASX 200 companies, with women making up only 20 per cent of
executive leadership roles and 12 per cent of line roles.
To help SA businesses come to terms with the problem, the Chiefs have produced a new tool-­kit
titled “Beyond First Impressions: Reducing Unconscious Bias in the Workplace”. Available as
a free download, the document provides information to make positive changes. It includes advice
on topics including recruitment, talent management practices, salary reviews and the provision of
flexible work options. More information at www.eoc.sa.gov.au
Event details:
The SA Chiefs for Gender Equity breakfast “Do you see what I see: Impact of Gender Stereotypes
at Work” will be held as part of the Open State Festival.
Thursday, 28 September from 7:30am
Open State Dome, Victoria Square.
Tickets -­-­ $22.00, bookings through Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com.au
Money raised from ticket sales goes to the Zahra Foundation
@OpenStateSA #OpenState17 #FutureEnterprise #FutureDemocracy
ENDS
MEDIA ENQUIRIES & INTERVIEWS: Stephanie Dumas, CfGE media contact: Ph 0407 073 356
ABOUT: The ‘Chiefs for Gender Equity’ is a group of senior business leaders from prominent South
Australian companies representing key industry sectors brought together with the common aim of advancing
gender equity. The Chiefs are working to progress sustainable change within their own organisations and to
increase the participation of women at the highest levels of industry. The Chiefs for Gender Equity group is
convened by the Equal Opportunity Commissioner of South Australia and aims to educate and encourage
other SA businesses to better address gender equity issues in the workplace.