Mercy Health is leading the sector in delivering workplace-based solutions to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women.
Mercy Health has partnered with the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) over the past 10 months to deliver Equality@Work, the first gender equality and primary prevention of violence program specific to migrant women in Australian workplaces. Funded by the Victorian Government under the Community Partnerships for Primary Prevention Program (CPPP), the program aims to engage and address the needs of migrant women aged care workers.
Mercy Health Group Executive Director People, Learning & Culture Kate McCormack says staff were engaged through forums, Gender Equality Advocates’ training, and a photo shoot depicting their responses to the question: “What will promote equality and respect for aged care workers?”.
“We will be launching a series of 11 Equality@Work postcards featuring staff from our aged care home in Springvale holding their responses to this question,” says Ms McCormack. “These postcards will be distributed to staff to promote gender equality and respect in the workplace.”
“We are delighted that Dr Nilmini Fernando will be launching the postcards for us on 6 June at our Hughesdale office.”
Dr Fernando is a Sri Lankan-born feminist scholar and educator who has worked with women in the asylum system, mental health and academic settings in the UK, Ireland and Australia. She currently does research and training at WIRE Women’s Information in family violence and building women’s financial capability.
Dr Adele Murdolo, Executive Director of MCWH, says feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Participants told us that they have loved the opportunity to bring gender equality discussions into their workplace. The project has made women feel valued as employees and inspired to lead positive change in the workplace,” says Dr Murdolo. “One participant also told us that the project has opened up a lot of doors, and help them feel proud that there is so much they can contribute as women.”
Mercy Health is currently planning future projects with MCWH to build on the momentum and energy generated among staff to improve workplace wellbeing, career progression and equality outcomes for migrant women workers.
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Last reviewed June 1, 2018.
