Tasmanian boards given five years to get 50% female - Women's Agenda

Tasmanian boards given five years to get 50% female

Tasmanian government boards and committees are up for a major gender overhaul, with the State Government giving them five years to become 50% female.

It’s not a quota, but rather a strict gender target that comes with a comprehensive plan designed to make it happen by July 2020.

The Five-Year Plan for Improving Gender Equality, released by Minister for Women Jacquie Petrusma, outlines a number of actions for increasing the proportion of women on government boards and committees.

They include engaging executive search firm Amrop Cordiner King to help in identifying suitable candidates, and bolstering up its online database of women looking to get appointed. It also includes gender equity targets in agency performance indicators, the promotion of opportunities online, and the launch of a quarterly monitoring reports on how the target is tracking.

Meanwhile, the Government will contribute up to $50,000 per year for three years to aid the costs of scholarships for women pursuing company director courses, and establish a member only group on LinkedIn — where men and women are invited to join and receive advice about board vacancies, networking events and development opportunities.

Women currently account for 34% of Tasmanian government boards and committees, a number that’s stagnated for the past 16 years.

Petrusma said that with previous state governments failing to effectively increase the percentage of women on boards, this plan places a stronger emphasis and greater accountability on the Tasmanian Government and State Service.

“Equal participation by all members of society is critical to reducing disadvantage, enhancing economic growth and democratic governance as well as increasing the wellbeing of all Tasmanians,” she said.

“Gender equity has also proven to be an asset for corporations, positively affecting their performance, productivity, the bottom line as well as the corporate image.”

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