Recalibrate: Gender Equity Awards is the brainchild of Lisa Sweeney, executive director and CEO of Business in Heels, an organisation that helps connect and fast-track 160,000 female professionals in its network.

The Commonwealth’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) March 2022 report found women fill just 17 per cent of chair positions, 31.2 per cent of directorships, 19.4 per cent of CEO positions, and 34.5 per cent of key management roles.

Ms Sweeney founded the awards with the aim of challenging and working with organisations nationally to make positive change.

“Let’s change the focus and bring the positivity forward to inspire other organisations and individuals,” she said.

“These awards are aimed to encourage competition between businesses especially in the ‘war for talent’.

“By striving to achieve, we hope to create a groundswell of activity driven by best practice and inspired by the stories of individuals.”

Awards

The awards feature eight categories for businesses of all sizes and individuals, highlighting certain sectors where the gender pay gap is excessive (22-24 per cent) to showcase those doing better than the average.

For organisations, the survey forms the basis of the submission. Finalists will be selected based on rankings. Once a shortlist is selected, nominated parties will be asked for a final submission listing key highlights and achievements.

For individuals, a two-step process involves being nominated by someone else. Nominees will then be advised and asked to submit the highlights of their achievements and to discuss how they encourage gender equity.

The panel of 20 judges, including Mr Guerra, come from diverse backgrounds. They will individually assess applications before meeting to discuss each application and determine shortlisted finalists.

Mr Guerra said: “Women represent at least half of most business’ customer bases so it’s logical that businesses should actively pursue gender equity in their workplaces to ensure consumer sentiment is reflected where the business decisions are made.

“The Victorian Chamber is committed to helping empower women in business and set them up for success which is why I am proud and excited to be a judge for the Recalibrate: Gender Equity Awards for Business in Heels.”

Mr Guerra noted that the Victorian Chamber is an ardent supporter of gender equity, promoting its own initiatives such as Chamber Change to help improve outcomes for women in business.

“It’s important that change comes from the top and the Victorian Chamber practices what we preach in that respect: our Executive Team is 66 per cent female, which mirrors our broader staff demographic, made up of 66 per cent females. We also have a high female representation at board level, at 57 per cent.”

Entries for Recalibrate: Gender Equity Awards close on 31 August and finalists will be announced on 1 October. The awards will be held on 16 November at Crown Casino in Melbourne. More information and nominations are available via https://genderequityawards.com.au/.