Remaking the norm
Six actions to achieve gender equity in Australia
Australians have a lot to gain from achieving gender equity – in our homes, communities and workplaces. In 2022, Deloitte Access Economics found that doing so could boost the Australian economy by $128 billion annually.
There’s undeniable momentum to realise these benefits. But why is the pace of change falling short? For example, why is it that despite spending $137 million annually on International Women’s Day events, nearly half of the businesses celebrating it have stubborn pay gaps of over five percent? How do we move the dial?
Our new research reasserts that progress will remain stagnant unless we collectively address the root cause of inequity: harmful gender norms.
Now is not the time to take the foot off the pedal. That’s why Deloitte Access Economics’ Remaking the norm report, in collaboration with Australian Investing in Women (AIIW) and Minderoo Foundation, highlights six ways to remake harmful gender norms – as individuals, policymakers, philanthropists and community and business leaders – to close gaps in the workplace and broader society.
Remaking the Norm was launched on Monday, 17 June, with a hybrid event at Deloitte Sydney. The speakers highlighted the pressing need to accelerate the pace of change by remaking gender norms. Thank you to Nicola Forrest AO (Founder, Minderoo Foundation); Padma Raman (Office for Women); Scott Wyatt (Viva Energy Australia); Drew Hanger (The Men’s Project, Jesuit Social Services); Lydia Williams (The Matildas); Julie Reilly OAM (Australians Investing in Women); Sruthi Srikanthan (Deloitte Access Economics); Evie Fox Koob (Deloitte Access Economics); and, Catherine Fox AM.
Watch the Remaking the norm webinar.
Previous Edition: Breaking the norm
Breaking the norm sheds a light on the substantial role that gender norms play in driving gender gaps in Australia. Rigid gender norms constrain decision-making by incentivising individuals to act in ways expected of their gender. The report finds that more flexible ideas around gender could lead to an additional $128 billion each year for Australia’s economy and 461,000 additional full time employees.
