Workplace culture promoting staff progression and leadership of women

At Charles Sturt University we have many policies relating to gender equity, including: Balancing Work, Study and Caring Responsibilities; Breastfeeding; Childcare on Campus; Children in the Workplace; Communicating Without Bias; Family-Related Leave; Remote Work; Flexible Working; Allowance for Dependent Care Expenses (while travelling on University business) and Recruitment for Targeting Women to Senior Positions.

At Charles Sturt we aim to create an inclusive culture that fosters the retention and progression of women. The Leadership Development for Woman (LDW) program is an important component of our Workplace Gender Equity Strategy and leadership programs provided by the Culture and Capability team within our Division of People and Culture.

LDW aims to improve the status, career development and decision-making contribution of our female staff. This is achieved by supporting women to further develop their leadership skills and encouraging cultural change towards organisational and management practices that value and are more inclusive of diversity, and that actively seek the input and perspective of women.

In 2021, 19 women completed the LDW program to increase awareness of their leadership style and build self-efficacy and support networks with other participating staff. Women worked collaboratively to devise and present capstone projects covering topics from strategic leadership approaches to career pathways and promotions.