ATN universities top employers for women

All ATN universities have been awarded the EOWA Employer of Choice for Women citation in the 2011 round. This award is given to organisations who have demonstrated their commitment to gender equality in the workplace by meeting rigorous criteria across seven different aspects of employment.

Of the 2,500 organisations that report to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) each year, 98 have been awarded the citation. Amongst Australian universities, only 13 other than the ATN received this recognition.

ATN Executive Director, Vicki Thomson, commented that this situation has not come about without a concerted effort and a good deal of hard work on the part of our universities.

"The ATN has long recognised the valuable contribution women make to organisations, as well as their capacity to take on leadership roles at all levels and our universities go the extra mile,' Ms Thomson said. "For example, programs such as our Women's' Executive Development program (WEXDEV) are unique in the higher education sector in that it works across the entire ATN to promote professional development opportunities for women, and to grow organisational cultures that value diversity.

"The fact that we are the only university alliance where all members were named Employers of Choice for Women illustrates that our commitment to the principles of access, equity and diversity extend not only to our student body, but university wide."