Women living in Wyndham are earning less than their male
counterparts, affecting their ability to achieve financial independence
and access secure housing and support services.
New census figures reveal that more than half the women living in
Wyndham earn less than $600 a week, compared to fewer than 30 per cent
of men.
More than 30 per cent of Wyndham women, compared to fewer than
20 per cent of men, earn less than $300 a week, with 12 per cent of
women having no income.
Women’s Health West promotions worker Stephanie Rich said the statistics highlighted a growing gender pay gap in Wyndham.
She said the discrepancy was caused by unsupportive working
arrangements for women with children, and an over-representation of
women in casual and non-career part-time employment.
“The persistent gender wage gap in Australia has profound
implications for women’s financial security and their access to
resources that support health, safety and well-being,” Ms Rich said.
“We know that gender inequality is the greatest cause of violence against women. Women don’t always have access to work, which limits their ability to access secure housing.”
Ms Rich said Women’s Health West was working with Wyndham council
to improve its recognition of working women and close the gender pay
gap.
Council chief executive Kerry Thompson said the project, which
runs until next December, aimed to develop a whole-of-community approach
to promoting gender equity and prevention of violence against women.
She said the council was working internally to improve gender equity and
was promoting non-violence in policy, planning, services, leadership
and practice.
“We want to provide all of our staff with family-friendly
employment conditions, job quality, pay equity, satisfaction with hours
worked and career progression.”
