Greater
Geelong is proud to be one of 10 Victorian councils championing an innovative
gender equality pilot program.
The
City has received funding from the Victorian Government to apply a gender lens
to planning, policy and service delivery over a three-month period.
A
specially-designed analysis toolkit will be used to ensure women, men and
gender non-binary individuals are considered in important decision making.
The
Gender Equality Bill Implementation Pilot is part of the Victorian Government’s
preparation for the Gender Equality Bill, which remains subject to parliament
approval.
Of
particular value to the pilot are community-facing projects.
The
City will use the toolkit to guide the Arts and Culture Marketing Strategy and
assist open space planning in growth areas.
The
toolkit, supplied by the Office for Women, encourages deliberate thought about
the unique needs of different genders.
Our
findings will be presented in a report in March and used to shape guidance
materials to accompany future legislation.
The
pilot will also play a key role in the implementation of the City’s Ba-gurrk Gender Equity Framework, which was adopted in 2019.
Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Stephanie Asher
To
be chosen amongst the 10 councils in Victoria to trial this important
initiative is a real coup.
It’s
important that everyone has the same access to decision making processes,
resources, economic and social opportunities.
Cr Sarah Mansfield – Social
Inclusion portfolio chair
It’s
critical councils shift their thinking so the needs of all people are
considered in important decision making.
As
an eager adopter of innovative ideas, the City has already embraced the pilot
in two current programs. The teams’ findings will make a difference in policy
making and planning in the Victorian public sector, universities and local
councils in the future.
