IWD at Uniting

I sent this message out to all Uniting team members on Friday to celebrate International Women's Day and acknowledge that there's still more work to do in achieving true gender equality.  #internationalwomen

Dear colleagues,

This Sunday 8 March, is International Women’s Day (IWD). I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution that women make at Uniting and in our community.

Celebrating our Uniting women

It’s fair to say that women across the world are the real movers and shakers in creating a better world. Ask any development expert and they will tell you that when a woman’s life improves so too does their community. Despite these great strengths, we need to recognise the work that is still needed to create a truly gender-equal world.

At Uniting, we have 82% of you who identify as women and we’re proud of the representation of women on our Board, Executive, senior management and right across our organisation. Personally speaking, I think I’m a better leader for having been led and supported by the many great women of our organisation.

A fairer future for women

However, many of our colleagues and clients who identify as women are still significantly impacted by gender inequality. As a father of two daughters, I am really aware of this and committed to change so that they and all women enjoy a fairer future. I’m conscious that there are more opportunities for my daughters than there were for my mother but they, along with all women, face real barriers to living the life that they choose and that’s not right.

So what are we doing about it? I’m proud that at Uniting there are two particular areas we are focused on in collaboration with the wider Uniting Church and others.

We continue to see shocking and distressing stories of domestic violence. Many of our employees and teams are supporting women and families who experience this daily. This is really tough but impactful work and I want to thank those of you involved for your commitment to build a better life for the women you are supporting. If you or women you know are in this situation, please call Lifeline 13 11 14 or 1800Respect. I’ve seen these organisations make a real difference to women I know.

The second area we are focused on is rising homelessness in women over 55. You can read the inspiring story of Frances, a social and affordable housing client, and how we have made a difference to her life. Again, I would like to thank everyone involved in empowering many older women by providing a place to call home.

Big and small changes for a gender-equal world

These programs are making a real difference to women in our communities and I’m genuinely proud that Uniting is part of these solutions. To truly achieve gender equality, it requires both big and small changes in everything we do. For me, that means thinking about the policies and practices of government and organisations like Uniting and asking whether they create opportunities equally for men and women.

It’s also the thousands of interactions I have every day with all people, what I do and say. As stated by International Women’s Day, “We are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviours and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society. Collectively, we can make change happen. Collectively, we can each help to create a gender equal world.”

I hope you will join me and commit to making this happen.

Kind regards,

Doug