Last week the Institute announced a major breakthrough for gender equity in the profession of architecture with National Council officially approving the organisation’s first Gender Equity Policy.
Announcing the policy, Institute President and gender equity advocate, Paul Berkemeier said, ‘The disparity between male and female representation within the profession has been well documented and a growing concern not only for the Institute as the industry’s representative body but also for members of both genders.’
‘The Gender Equity Policy will provide the foundation for improving operations within the Institute through its governance, programs and services, employment and leadership. The policy will assist our members and the profession more broadly in employing gender equitable practices in their day to day operations.’
The policy establishes ten best practice principles designed to maximise fair and equitable access to opportunities and participation for women within the architecture profession.
1. Acknowledge the profession’s obligation to accommodate the diverse needs of the community.
2. Recognise and respond effectively to the diversity of members.
3. Incorporate provisions to ensure gender equitable outcomes in all new Institute initiatives.
4. Communicate the value of women in leadership roles.
5. Promote equality of employment arrangements.
6. Support the development of alternative and flexible career pathways within the profession.
7. Develop cross-gender mentorships and networks.
8. Educate the profession about the impact of gender stereotypes.
9. Actively seek input on the needs of women members.
10. Develop and coordinate specific programs to give effect to this Gender Equity policy.
The policy was developed by a working group that was chaired by Immediate Past President Shelley Penn and comprised Paul Berkemeier (National President), Maggie Edmond (Nationally-elected Councillor), Richard Barton (General Counsel/Company Secretary), Carmel McCormack (General Manager, Membership and Programs), Alison Cleary (Victorian Chapter Manager), Sophie Seck (former National Exhibitions Officer), with support from Claire Croxall (Executive Support Officer) and input from Ross Clark (Chief Operating Officer).
By adopting a comprehensive and ethical approach, the Institute aims to ensure that it engages fairly and equitably with all its members, staff and other stakeholders, whether male or female, in a positive, respectful and constructive manner. Equally importantly, the Institute aims to assist the whole architectural profession to do the same.
The development of the policy follows the Institute’s involvement since 2011 with the Australian Research Council funded ‘Equity and Diversity in the Australian Architecture Profession: Women, Work and Leadership’ project, which is led by a large collaborative team of eight scholars and five industry partners.
Studies conducted as part of this project have provided qualitative evidence confirming that the participation rate of women in the profession is disproportionately low compared to the number of women graduates in architecture highlighting the specific need to encourage and provide guidelines for the industry to adopt a comprehensive and ethical approach to establishing gender equality across the field.
A National Committee on Gender Equity will be established by National Council to implement the policy and to recommend actions, initiatives and programs to support and promote the principles of the policy.
Comprising ten individuals, including nine Institute members, the committee will further drive gender equality within the architecture industry. More information about the committee, including details on how to be involved, will be published early in the new year.
Further information
Gender Equity Policy
Media Release: Landmark decision for architecture profession on gender equity