Gender equity

Gender Equity Position Statement

In March 2019, through the work of the Gender Equity Working Group, we released the Gender Equity Position Statement which states our commitment to advocate for gender equity.

 
Recognising the diversity of practice within careers in anaesthesia and pain medicine, our objective is to achieve visible gender equity across the following five broad areas:

• Entry to – and completion of –training in anaesthesia and pain medicine.

• Access to clinical anaesthesia and pain medicine practice across public and private healthcare sectors, that is:

                - Safe.
                - Rewarding.
                - Appropriately remunerated.
                - Compatible with work life balance and wellbeing.

• Recognition and advancement in research and education.

• Leadership, management and health advocacy.

• Participation in high quality continuing professional development that supports clinical and nonclinical support roles.
   

 

Gender Equity Resource Kit

The Gender Equity Resource Kit contains useful tools and strategies which may be used by trainees, SIMGs and fellows, to contribute to gender equity within your hospital or workplace. The resource kit may provide guidance and support in these vital areas, which are currently outside the direct remit of the college.
 
 The resource kit is structured into five key areas of focus:
 

• Inclusive and equitable culture.

• Diverse and representative workforce.

• Flexible and empowering workplace.

• Attention to closing gaps.

• Strategic and accountable leadership.

 
We encourage you to download and share the toolkit, and use the Gender equity self-assessment quiz to challenge the gender balance and equity practices in your health services, departments and teams. The results might surprise you!
 

Action Plan

To support the Gender Equity Position Statement, we have developed a task-oriented action plan to be delivered over the coming five years. The action plan aligns with the five key focus areas identified in the resource toolkit, and the ANZCA strategic plan (2018 – 2022). Regular updates on the progress of the plan will be communicated to our members, and tracked via our Professional Affairs Executive Committee. 

ANZCA Panel Pledge

The ANZCA panel pledge is based on an initiative of Male Champions of Change and Chief Executive Women, national groups which work with influential leaders to redefine men’s role in taking action on gender inequality.
Too many panel appearances and speaking engagements are offered to men, too few to women. This imbalance means that audiences are getting a narrow perspective and the quality and diversity of conversations and experiences are limited. We ask that willing participants take the following pledge.I stand for gender diversity at every forum. 

How do we stack up?

The college has made a commitment to regularly report on gender metrics, to ensure there remains a focus on where the balance lies both today, and into the future. 

Historical gender imbalances in the specialities of anaesthesia and pain medicine are rapidly decreasing as women enter and complete training. Forty four percent of our trainees across the college are female, indicating that more women than ever before are being admitted to – and completing – the ANZCA and FPM training programs. Similarly, recent female representation in the roles of ANZCA President and FPM Dean are closing the gender gap in appointments to executive leadership.
   

Gender Metrics

For the full list of the college’s gender metrics please click here.
 

Tri-nations alliance unites to sign the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles

On Friday March 22, at the International Medical Symposium in Auckland, the Presidents and CEOs of the Tri-Nations Alliance united to sign the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Statement. This commitment aims to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in the workplace and community, through seven principle areas. These principles are the result of collaboration between the UN Global Compact and UN Women, and are adapted from the Calvert Women's Principles. The signing of the principles is one of the many steps the college has taken in support of gender equity, following the recent release of the ANZCA and FPM Gender Equity Position Statement, Resource Toolkit and Self-Assessment Quiz. Signatories include Presidents and CEOs from ANZCA, RACS, RANZCP, RCPSC and RACP.


Back row – Andrew Peters RANZCP, John Ilott ANZCA, John Biviano RACS, Andrew Padmos RCPSC – CEOs

Front Row – Kym Jenkins RANZCP, Vanessa Beavis  (Vice-president) ANZCA, Mark Lane RACP, John Batten RACS, Ian Bowmer, RCPSC - Presidents

 

New Gender Equity Library Guide

Keep track of the latest resources with our new Library Guide.

 

Gender balance at conference and events

Women are underrepresented at conferences and meetings. Particularly as invited speakers, panellists, and convenors but also, in some cases, as delegates. At the 2019 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), 32 per cent of speakers will be female. We have been pro-active on this issue by promoting, mentoring and actively advocating for gender balance at conferences and in leadership opportunities. We encourage conference convenors to review their speaker lists with gender balance in mind. We also provide family/carer-friendly facilities where possible, to support speakers and delegates who are caring for children. 

 

Contact

For further information on the position statement, resource toolkit and self-assessment quiz, please contact us.