Gender Equity

Does gender equity matter to you?

It does to us.

Gender equity is the tool used to achieve gender equality. Gender equity is the process of being fair to everyone, whether they are male, female or gender diverse. It recognises that the playing field is not always even and implements strategies and measures to ensure everybody can fully participate in community life the way they want to.

What are we doing to help achieve gender equity in Greater Bendigo?

We promote gender equity in the workplace

The City welcomes the Gender Equality Act 2020 which requires organisations within the Victorian public sector, including local councils, to make meaningful progress towards gender equality in the workplace and the community.

The City proudly adopted its inaugural workplace gender equity action plan, Equity For All (E4A) Gender Equity Action Plan in March 2022. The plan aims to improve the City’s organisational performance against seven workplace gender equality indicators in the Act;

1. Gender composition of workforce
2. Gender composition of governing body
3. Equal remuneration
4. Sexual harassment in the workplace
5. Recruitment and promotion
6. Flexible work and leave
7. Gender segregation in the workplace

View the 2022 Equity For All (E4A) Gender Equity Action Plan Annual Report to see how we are tracking in progressing gender equity in the workplace and in the community.

We promote gender equity in the community

Equity Impact Assessments (EIAs)

Did you know that the City conducts Equity Impact Assessments (EIAs) on its policies, programs and services to help create a more fair and inclusive community? EIAs consider how policies, programs and services affect different genders and diverse groups in different ways and recommend changes that will help reduce and remove barriers to equality in the community.

EIAs put the City’s Social Justice Framework 2022-2032 into action and help staff look at policies, programs and services through a people, place and experience lens to determine who in Greater Bendigo is at risk of exclusion, discrimination or disadvantage.

EIAs incorporate Gender Impact Assessments (GIAs) which are a legislative requirement of the Gender Equality Act 2020 (The Act). The Act requires that any policy, program or service that has a direct and significant impact on the public conducts a GIA in its development and review cycle.

The Greater Bendigo Coalition for Gender Equity 

The City is a member of the Greater Bendigo Coalition for Gender Equity. The Coalition is a diverse collective of 42 organisations and groups (as at December 2022) in the public, private and community sector dedicated to advancing gender equity and preventing violence against women and children in Greater Bendigo.

The City is a signatory to the Coalition’s Gender Equity Strategy which guides the Coalition’s collective efforts in achieving positive social change across six key settings; workplaces, education, community, health, sport and recreation and emergency management.

View our Certificate of Signatory to the Coalition Gender Equity Strategy 2020-2025.

We promote women’s participation in local government

The City of Greater Bendigo is a signatory to the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter. The Charter recognises that decision making is strengthened through diversity. When decision making forums in the community are inclusive of different experiences and perspectives, everybody benefits.

The Charter recognises that women have historically been under-represented in local government and encourages local governments such as ours to work with the community to increase the number and level of participation of women in public life so that decision-making better represents the interests and needs of the community.

View our Certificate of Signatory to the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter.

We promote the prevention of gender-based violence in the workplace and community

The Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence Committee

The Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence Committee has played an active role in the community to raise awareness and understanding of family violence since 2010. It coordinates a range of activities and events throughout the year including during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 – December 10).

Free from Violence Local Government Program

The City is one of fifteen Councils in Victoria to receive funding under the Free from Violence Local Government Program 2022-2025. The program will support the City to implement a whole-of-Council approach to promoting gender equity and preventing violence.

A whole-of-Council approach means we promote gender equity and the prevention of violence in everything we do – from policies to the physical environment, our culture, council services and community work. The program identifies local government’s unique position to create change as a workplace, service provider, connector and community leader (Council’s domains of influence).

What is the link between gender inequality and violence?

Gender inequality creates an environment in which family violence, violence against women and all forms of gender-based violence is more likely to occur.

There are four main ways gender inequality is expressed which consistently predicts higher rates of violence against women in our society. These are:

• Rigid gender roles and stereotypes
• Men’s control of decision making and limits to women’s independence in public life and relationships
• Condoning, trivialising, excusing or minimising violence against women
• Male peer relationships and cultures that emphasise aggression, dominance and control

Other forms of discrimination and inequality influence how violence is experienced in our community. These include racism, ableism, ageism, homophobia, transphobia, class discrimination and impacts of colonialism.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, support is available. You can contact: 

Orange Door Loddon on 1800 512 359 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or Safe Steps 1800 015 188 (24 hours). In an emergency, dial 000.