* National citation reaffirms CSU commitment to gender equality

* Citation reflects a range of CSU initiatives undertaken during 2018

* CSU aims to be a leader in gender equity in higher education sector and regions

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been awarded an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation from the Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

CSU joins 19 other Education and Training citation holders in 2018-19 that were announced today, Monday 25 February.

The WGEA EOCGE citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

The EOCGE program aims to recognise leading practice in addition to the compliance standards with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, and participation in the program is voluntary.

CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann (pictured above) said, “Receiving the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation reaffirms our commitment to gender equality.

“As a values-based organisation, centred on inclusive, impactful, inspiring and insightful actions, we aim to be leaders in gender equity in our sector and the regions in which our campuses are located.

“We are committed to making the necessary changes in attitudes and policy to ensure gender equity at the University.”

CSU Human Resources project manager for equity and diversity Mr Nicholas Steepe said, “All organisations must re-apply annually to retain a WGEA EOCGE citation.

“This is an ongoing, rigorous, self-reflective and action-oriented process because criteria for achieving the WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation are regularly strengthened to reflect ongoing developments in best practice.

“The criteria cover leadership, learning and development, gender remuneration gaps, flexible working and other initiatives to support family responsibilities, employee consultation, preventing sex-based harassment and discrimination, and targets for improving gender equality outcomes.”

Mr Steepe noted that award of the WGEA EOCGE citation to CSU reflects the range of initiatives undertaken by CSU during 2018. These include Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann becoming a Pay Equity Ambassador, the release of the CSU Workplace Gender Equity Strategy 2018-2022, and CSU being among the first Australian higher education institutions to be awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Institution Award.

In 2018 CSU also introduced the availability of 15 days of domestic violence leave for affected staff.

“One of the key action items across the Workplace Gender Equity Strategy 2018-2022 and the Athena SWAN Bronze Award Action Plan is the development and implementation of training to all senior staff to address unconscious bias and inclusivity,” Mr Steepe said.

“The training rollout has already begun across all of the University’s campuses, and the Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Team (VCLT) is scheduled to undertake the training on Tuesday 5 March.”