Parra News March 12 2024

LOCAL NEWS
Gender equity top priority
Council promises to invest in local women
ELLIE BUSBY
Cumberland Council has
promised to continue
to invest in women, as
it moves to develop a strategy
to achieve gender equity in the
local area.
With International Women’s
Day taking place last week,
Council has reaffirmed its
commitment to “count her
in” after a motion to establish
a gender equity strategy was
supported at the latest meeting.
Labor Councillor Diane
Colman, who put forward the
motion, said there is clearly still
a long way to go in achieving
gender equity in Cumberland.
“For every $1 a man makes,
women earn 78 cents, over the
course of a year that difference
adds up to $26,393,” she said.
“This gender pay gap is having
a long-term, material effect
on women’s lives, women’s
economic safety and security
are intrinsically linked to their
physical safety and security.
“The importance of financial
independence in enabling
women to escape abusive relationships
cannot be overstated.”
The strategy intends to promote
partnership opportunities
within the community and
other levels of Government to
ensure equitable opportunities
regardless of gender, as well as
economic security and building
safety and respect in the community.
It would also focus on making
sure Council as a workplace
provides equitable opportunities
for all employees and maintains
an organisational culture,
which supports gender equity
and respect. The preparation of
the strategy would require an
additional budget allocation of
around $25,000.
Colman added that creating a
gender equity strategy ensures
Council consciously considers its
aims within an equality framework.
“Investing in women isn’t just
the right thing to do, it’s the smart
thing to do,” she said.
Merrylands West resident
Joshika Naidu, who works in the
male-dominated tech industry,
said the motion resonated deeply
with her.
“I’ve experienced first-hand
that true equality stems from
gender equity,” she added.
“From the statistics and
personal experience, I would like
to dispel the misconception that
advocating for gender equity is
an anti-male stance.
“In championing this motion
we embark on a journey with
far-reaching benefit, especially
from an economic stand-point.”
However, some Councillors
said Council already has a strong
gender equity policy, declaring
that an additional strategy was
not needed.
“Here we are six months out
from an election, trying to
create an issue that is not here in
Cumberland City Council,” Our
Local Community Councillor
Steve Christou said.
“We already have an extensive
and exhaustive gender equity
policy, which we already do.
“Nobody wants to see women
in life, especially in Australia, not
get a fair go, but what we won’t
cop is a portrait being displayed
that somehow Cumberland is not
getting a fair go.”
Diane Colman, Dr Chandrika and Deputy Mayor Ola Hamed at Cumberland’s
International Women’s Day event.
Hop in to
meet the
Easter
Bunny
BOOK
YOUR
SPOT
TODAY!
EASTER EGG HUNT
EASTER BREAKFAST
TRADING HOURS *
Round up your bunnies and join us for FREE
chocolate-filled fun at our Easter Egg Hunt
and take a selfie with the Easter Bunny
Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 March
10am - 2pm
Located outside Coles
No bookings required. Available while stocks last.
Join us for a fun, yummy breakfast, live
entertainment, visit from the Easter Bunny
and special gift.
Sunday 17 March & Sunday 24 March
8am – 9.30am
Bookings essential via our website.
Good Friday 29 March CLOSED
Easter Saturday 30 March
Easter Sunday 31 March
Easter Monday 1 April
9am-5pm
CLOSED
10am-4pm
*Opening hours may vary from store to store.
Please check with individual retailers for details.
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Tuesday, March 12, 2024 « parra news 5