Page 751 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 21 March 2017
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This research was reflected in the many consultations I conducted in 2016, including a roundtable discussion in May with athletes, administrators, media representatives and students, to delve deeper into the challenges facing women and girls in sport. Some of these young women told me that the lack of appropriate infrastructure and clear social connections were contributors to their non-participation.
The government’s election platform takes direct action to address these challenges and ensure that girls have increased opportunities in sport at all levels, including playing and administration. We committed $2.5 million in funding to women’s sports, including a new four-year funding deal with both the Canberra Capitals WNBL and Canberra United W-League teams, to inspire a new generation of female athletes; $500,000 for a female-friendly sports infrastructure program; a $400,000 incentive grant for sports to lead the way in promoting gender equality; and $100,000 towards a new “active” online community which will act as a hub for sports to connect with women and girls, grow participation and celebrate achievements.
We are also working with all Canberra sporting organisations towards at least 40 per cent female representation on their boards. So while the doors to high performance opportunities have been slower to open for female athletes when compared to our male counterparts, I can confirm that changes are afoot in this area.
In the Education portfolio, it is worth noting that we are leading the country in terms of women’s leadership roles in schools. National research shows that 81 per cent of primary teachers are female, but they hold only 65 per cent of leadership positions; and 58 per cent of secondary teachers are female, but they hold 48 per cent of leadership positions.
In ACT public schools, we do quite well, where 77 per cent of the workforce is female, with approximately 75 per cent of the executive teacher positions and close to 73 per cent of deputy principal positions being held by women. We need to do further work to support women to thrive in the role of school principal as only 59 per cent of current principal roles are held by women.
Today, in acknowledging and celebrating International Women’s Day 2016, I want to applaud the gains that we have already made in the ACT. In addition to the work I have already mentioned, I need to again acknowledge the fact that the ACT parliament has shattered the glass ceiling, with a majority of women for the first time holding the most seats in the ACT Assembly. This is an Australian first, so we need to keep acknowledging it.
We also have strong leadership credentials in the ACT public service, with women making up 42 per cent of executive positions. That is a great accomplishment compared to the broader community but, as we know, there is always more work to be done, with deeply entrenched stereotypical attitudes impacting negatively on the wellbeing of women and girls.
Madam Speaker, while government cannot be solely responsible for changing these attitudes and addressing gender inequality, we can certainly be a leader and an agent
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