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Grant Awarded to Promote Gender Equality and Diversity in Australian Government Agencies
The Australian Government has announced a significant grant to support greater gender equality and diversity in its public service. The funding, which totals AUD 1.84 million, will be provided over the next three years to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The grant aims to increase the number of women and underrepresented groups in leadership positions within Australian government agencies.
The grant will support a range of initiatives, including a “Leadership Shadowing Program” that will provide women and underrepresented groups with the opportunity to shadow senior leaders in government agencies. The program aims to help participants develop the skills and knowledge required to succeed in leadership roles.
Other initiatives funded by the grant will include the development of a toolkit to support gender and diversity-sensitive recruitment processes, as well as training programs for managers and staff in areas such as unconscious bias and diversity and inclusion.
The move is part of a broader push by the Australian Government to promote gender equality and diversity in the public service. The government has set targets to ensure that at least 50% of senior leadership positions are held by women, and that at least 3.2% of the workforce identifies as having a disability by 2025.
Commenting on the grant, a spokesperson for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet said that “we are committed to improving the diversity of our workforce, and this funding will help to ensure that we are able to attract and retain the best talent from a wide range of backgrounds. By promoting gender equality and diversity in our public service, we can better reflect the needs and values of all Australians.”
Overall, the grant represents a significant investment in improving gender equality and diversity in the Australian public service. While there is still much work to be done to achieve these aims, the funding and initiatives supported by the grant represent an important step forward.
