More than 1,000 people attended the event at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre this morning to celebrate the exceptional talent in the WA resources sector and promote the importance of gender diversity.
CME congratulates all winners and finalists recognised at the Awards. The winners are:
- Outstanding Company Initiative – Rio Tinto (White Ribbon Accreditation)
- Outstanding Operator/Technician/Trade Woman in Resources – Nicole O’Keefe (BHP)
- Outstanding Woman in Resources – Peta Libby (Digirock)
- Outstanding Young Woman in Resources – Dhakshi Weerawardena (BHP)
- Women in Resources Champion – Veena Mendez (Chevron)
- People’s Choice Award – Shannon Youd (KCGM).
CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith said the interest in the Women in Resources Awards grew stronger each year, reflecting the increasing efforts by the WA resources sector to redress the gender imbalance at all levels of the industry.
“Attracting and retaining greater numbers of women to the WA resources sector will require strong commitment from executive leadership to overcome challenges and position the industry for future economic growth,” Mr Howard-Smith said.
According to a new Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) report released last week, the resources sector is leading the way in working towards eliminating the gender pay gap. The resources sector gender pay gap of 15 per cent is among the lowest across Australian industry, with the all-industries pay gap sitting at 22.5 per cent.
Mr Howard-Smith acknowledged the latest findings from the WGEA Gender Equity Insights report, which also reveal action to reduce the gender pay gap is three times more effective when data is reported to the executive or board.
“The report is a call to action for boards and executive teams, who need to ask for their organisation’s diversity metrics and then be accountable for redressing the gender imbalance,” he said.
“Although there is still a fair way to go in terms of gender equality in the sector, the achievements of today’s finalists show that we are making great inroads into providing rewarding career opportunities for women in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry.
“I congratulate today’s nominees and winners, who should be extremely proud of their incredible efforts and can look forward to a long and rewarding career in the resources sector.”
