Currently women are grossly underrepresented in some of our highest paid industries such as mining energy and construction where, on average women only represent 10% of the workforce. On the other hand women dominate relatively low paid work sectors such as retail, hospitality and social assistance. STEM careers are usually well paid and because of Australia’s dominant industries, roles such as engineering feature more heavily in our economies than many others. However, women represent less than 12% of engineering graduates.
These statistics show that we have a gender segregated society, with gender roles being prescribed early in life by decisions made by society generally but parents, schools and media specifically. Today there are very few reasons why men and women cannot do the same work. This campaign would be aimed at creating awareness of this issue and changing behaviour about the ways in which we portray men and women and the careers they can and should occupy.