INFLUENCING AN INDUSTRY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
In recent years, there has been a wave of activism around the world focused on gender equity. Women have shown great courage in sharing their stories, generating open and robust discussion on misplaced power and bias, and workplace discrimination and harassment. Gender equity in the workplace is not a new conversation for many organisations and industries. It is however, one that the gaming and hospitality industries are taking seriously. In the Australian gaming industry only six per cent of CEOs are females, and women make up just 21.5% of senior leadership teams. As these startling statistics show, the industry has a way to go in achieving increased representation of women in leadership.
Recognising a need to support progress for women, Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia (WGH) was established in 2017 by The Star Entertainment Group and Aristocrat. The organisation is an industry-driven not for profit, dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender equitable outcomes in the workplace. Since it was established, additional corporate partners including SKYCITY Entertainment Group, Crown Resorts, ALH Group and Christchurch Casino have joined to create a united industry voice. Women in Gaming & Hospitality also have several affiliate partners and supporters helping to effect change across the industry including Australasian Gaming Council, Odgers Berndtson, ClubsACT and Community Clubs Victoria.
Women in Gaming & Hospitality have a number of initiatives to drive positive change. They strongly encourage continual professional development, so as to advance women into senior leadership and c-suite roles. One of Women in Gaming & Hospitality’s latest offerings is a prestigious scholarship to participate in the International Gaming Institute’s Executive Development Program. The program is held annually in Lake Tahoe and the scholarship is valued at AUD $17,500. This exclusive opportunity is open to female members of Women in Gaming & Hospitality Australasia who are dedicated to advancing their career and are committed to developing their strategic leadership skills and knowledge in the gaming industry. Visit wga.org.au to apply, but hurry as applications close 30 June!
Other initiatives to empower women and promote gender equitable outcomes in the workplace include an emerging female leaders program, professional development events throughout Australia and New Zealand, mentoring opportunities and partnering with event and conference organisers to increase the female representation of speakers and panelists.
Upcoming events are being held on the Gold Coast on 11th June, Brisbane 12th June, Melbourne 28th June and Auckland 2nd July.
Further details and to register for the events are at wga.org.au.
Women in Gaming & Hospitality encourages individual membership and active engagement from both women and men and invite anyone who is interested in advancing their career or assisting women in advancing their careers to sign up. Individual membership is free and there are a range of benefits to be enjoyed.
In addition to initiatives targeted to the individual, Women in Gaming & Hospitality also work with their corporate partners to improve the tangible and positive impacts on their organisation’s culture and operations. Initiatives that are being rolled out include an unconscious bias awareness campaign, resources for organisations to implement to promote gender equity and monthly communications focusing on specific barriers and systemic issues and how these can be overcome.
Creating an inclusive industry where the attraction, retention and advancement of women is markedly improved, requires industry wide support.
Corporate Partnership opportunities are also available. By enhancing your organisational reputation through partnering with Women in Gaming & Hospitality, the industry will not only see a positive shift in the perception to attract female talent, but we will also create a more welcoming industry for potential candidates from a variety of diverse backgrounds, significantly widening your talent pool.
Find out more here>>>> visit www.wga.org.au
