Leadership

Having women in leadership positions and engaged in high-level decision-making can support cultural change, provide role models for future generations and expand opportunities for flexible working arrangements.

We strive for more RRR women to step into leadership roles.

Leadership in the RRR is a complicated achievement underpinned by gender stereotypes, access, and opportunity. When it is of a community nature, it is viewed more as a responsibility, possibly a burden, generally not paid narrowing a woman’s economic independence and lastly, she fails to recognise her community contributions as valued leadership. The disconnect surrounding RRR leadership calls for attention.

How can RRR women progress towards gender equality with the rest of society if a key priority to its achievement – leadership is problematic. Obviously, gender equality in its entirety is problematic and stands to reason why gender parity is more than 100 years away, but to reduce this we must keep questioning and identifying gaps when we see them.

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Proportion of female CEOs in WA community sector organisations

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Proportion of female CEOs in WA CSOs with less than $1M turnover

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Proportion of female CEOs in WA CSOs with more than $1M turnover

Source: Statistics from the Government of Western Australia, Department of Communities 2019 Women’s Report Card

Rebecca Ryan and Cherie May took part in the Curtin RRR women's leadershiop program at WASM Credit: Kalgoorlie Miner

Rebecca Ryan and Cherie May took part in the Curtin RRR women’s leadership program, held in 2020 at Curtin’s WA School of Mines, Kalgoorlie. Read more in the Kalgoorlie Miner.

This project was funded by the Department of Communities, Western Australia and the Hon. Simone McGurk, the Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and Community Services.

The research was supported by Professor Julia Richardson from Curtin Business School and Professor Siddier Chambers, Curtin University.

WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TRADITIONAL OWNERS AND ELDERS, WHOSE CULTURES AND CUSTOMS HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO NURTURE THE LAND ON WHICH WE WALK AND LIVE – WOODITCHUP (MARGARET RIVER), WADANDI BOODJA.