G20 gender equality forum aims to break glass ceiling

Law lecturer Felicity Gerry QC has chaired a gender equality forum, which will present recommendations at the G20 Australia summit in Brisbane this month.

Diplomatic representatives, business stakeholders and academics attended the recent “Investing in Gender Equality at the G20 Leaders’ Summit” forum, organised by Dr Susan Harris-Rimmer at the Australian National University.

After chairing the forum, Ms Gerry said female business stakeholders in the Northern Territory were on the forefront of working towards creating equal workforce participation.

“There are some fantastic businesswomen in Darwin who can and are leading the way on this issue,” she said.

The forum’s keynote speech was presented by the Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Honourable Michaelia Cash.

Other speakers included Dean of the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Professor Veronica Taylor, Oxfam Australia CEO Dr Helen Szoke, UN Women Australia Executive Director Julie McKay and World Bank Senior Advisor Dr Jeni Klugman.

Recommendations included goals to reduce the gender participation gap by 25 per cent by 2025, and to adopt quotas to improve women’s representation in economic, business and political institutions.

These recommendations will be presented to delegates at the 2014 G20 Australia summit in Brisbane on 15 and 16 November.