Diversity Council Australia (DCA) is calling on Australian organisations to take an intersectional approach this International Women’s Day (IWD) by demystifying the process of centring marginalised voices at work.
In line with UN Women’s theme for IWD 2024, Count Her In, DCA is highlighting the importance of listening to culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) women by announcing the upcoming launch of a new resource designed to help organisations centre voice in organisational change.
While the concept of centring voice has gained popularity in discussions around diversity and inclusion, people rarely understand what this important process means in a practical sense and how to action it. Centring Marginalised Voices at Work: Lessons from DCA’s CARM Women in Leadership Research will offer practical tips and actions informed by DCA’s groundbreaking research as well as the lived experiences of CARM women.
“Centring voice is so much more than consultation or tokenism, it’s a crucial process that ensures your work is informed by lived experience,” said DCA CEO Lisa Annese.
“Last International Women’s Day, DCA launched our groundbreaking CARM Women in Leadership report, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by CARM women in organisational settings. This year, we’re highlighting key learnings from this pivotal research by calling on organisations to educate themselves on the importance of centring voice.
“We know that by centring CARM women’s voices and lived experiences, we can devise more effective strategies to dismantle the systemic barrier they face. This foundational resource clarifies what it is to centre voice, why that is important, and provides a step-by-step guide to how organisations can do it in a practical sense.”
DCA will share insights from this new resource as part of our contribution to the UN’s sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), taking place from 11 to 22 March in New York. DCA will be involved in a session focused on centring voice, which we will present along with our GIDA partners, who will offer their global perspectives. The joint session will focus on global challenges and lessons amplifying women’s voices. DCA is also part of the Australian Government’s rapid response group for the CSW68 negotiations.
Centring Marginalised Voices at Work: Lessons from DCA’s CARM Women in Leadership Research will launch on 13 March 2024. DCA will hold an online event to launch this important work featuring DCA Board Chair Ming Long AM and keynote speaker Sheetal Deo, DCA’s Senior Project Manager for the RISE Project, along with special guest speakers. If you’re interested in attending, please contact media@dca.org.au.
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Media Contact: Ali Coulton | media@dca.org.au
About DCA: Diversity Council Australia is the independent not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We provide unique research, inspiring events and programs, curated resources and expert advice across all diversity dimensions to a community of over 1,300 member organisations. Our member organisations are estimated to employ nearly two million Australians, representing more than 20% of the workforce.