Resources

In the lead up to International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024, National Women in Transport with Roads Australia began a national conversation among senior government and industry leaders to identify the best way to break down obstacles to women’s participation across the sector. 

A series of IWD events were held across every capital city in Australia attracting more than 1200 people from 69 organisations. Following the events, Roads Australia’s in Partnership with National Women in Transport, released the report Strength in Diversity; Empowering women in the transport sector. The report is a summary of the key topics that emerged from these discussions. It highlights common themes and successful strategies for organisations to help change perceptions and attract and retain a diverse workforce.

The report includes strategies from recruitment and training to services that make the transition into the transport sector as simple and supported as possible. It looks at ways to continually improve the culture of the industry, raise the visibility of women in the sector and recognise international experience. As well as the next steps that Roads Australia is taking to create a sustainable workforce that actively supports women at every level of operations.

Governments can play a key role in getting more women into transport jobs by taking a cross-sector approach to workplace, education and recruitment strategies. 

This was a key finding from 2024 research by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Transport Working Group.  National Women in Transport assisted with the initiative to identify barriers to greater participation of women, along with policies and best practices to attract and keep more women working in the sector.

APEC’s research report, Mainstreaming Gender in the Transport Workforce for Sustainability, includes a review of past studies. As well as findings from a survey and workshop of transport workers from across 40 APEC economies.

The report highlights major gaps in existing data. And notes that finding common metrics would allow information to be shared more broadly across jurisdictions.

Research conducted by National Women in Transport and the Australasian Railway Association shows that women’s experience working in rail is improving. However, a lot needs to be done before it becomes a career of choice for more women. 

The report Progressing gender equality in the Australasian rail industry: challenges and supportive practices considers best practice initiatives currently in place across Australia and overseas. And shows that while many organisations have practices in place to support the inclusion of women, there are systemic barriers to female participation that still need to be addressed.

It draws on more than 570 surveys, written submissions and focus groups, to set out 10 recommendations for organisations to improve gender diversity.

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) recently released its three-year Women in Rail strategy aimed at increasing female participation in the industry to help ensure its long-term sustainability.

ARA CEO and our Speaker Bureau member, Caroline Wilkie, said while the industry has seen recent improvements in gender diversity, there is more work to do to attract, retain and develop women in rail.

“The ARA’s Women in Rail Strategy aims to support the continued increase in female representation in the industry. With a strong $154 billion pipeline of investment over the next 15 years, this is more important than ever to ensure a sustainable future for rail,” Ms Wilkie said.

National Women in Transport welcomes the Women in Rail Strategy that outlines several initiatives from 2023 – 2026 based on the following four areas:

• Industry Knowledge: Measure success and understand the issues
• Organisation Impact: Encourage inclusive and respectful workplaces
• Professional Development: Grow capacity and capability of women in rail
• Promote Rail to Women: Increase female participation in rail