Congress recognised as a leader in equality for women The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples is proud to accept the “Sustaining Women’s Empowerment in Communities and Organisations Gold Award” for our work in advancing women in the workplace and community.

Co-chair, Jody Broun (pictured above ) said, “Congress has recognised the vital need to have women at the forefront of our decision making, it is fundamental to the way we do our business.

“We listened to our people when gender equity was established as a founding – and now an operating – principle of Congress and we urge other Australian companies to do the same.

“The women working within Congress now are part of the long, proud history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have fought for our Peoples and we honour the achievements and the significant contributions those women have made.

Co-chair Les Malezer said, “In our upcoming elections we expect to see more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women put themselves forward for positions within Congress as delegates, directors or co-chair.

“Congress is a leading example for mainstreaming women and girls in development and more attention is needed to provide girls with leadership ambitions in Aboriginal communities.

“Representation on the Congress Board and Ethics Council is equally divided between men and women, as it is with our delegates and on our youth committee. More than half of our membership is female (58%) and female staff make up three-quarters of our small organisation, with half in senior management roles,” he said  “Congress is built on a platform of unity, that we all have an equal stake and responsibility in current decisions and in our future.

Co-chair Broun concluded, “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls are a fundamental part of the ability of our communities to achieve self-determination and to address the serious issues that face our Peoples.

“I am proud to be the first female elected Co-Chair of Congress and proud that Congress is at the forefront of gender equality not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, but for Australian women as a whole.” 

Contact: Liz Willis 0457 877 408

 http://nationalcongress.com.au/congress-recognised-as-leader-in-equality-for-women/

 On International Women’s Day (IWD) 2013, the Australian Centre for Leadership for Women (ACLW) rewards initiatives for the advancement of women in workplaces and in the community. ACLW’s Sustaining Women’s Empowerment in Communities and Organisations (SWECO) Award which commenced in 2011 aims to honour women and men and groups who have developed a sustainable initiative to empower women in a community or organisation.

More info: http://www.leadershipforwomen.com.au/