BPW Australia

Vale – Beryl Nashar

MargaretTipper — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:25:29 +0000

(9 July 1923 to 12 May 2012)
Past BPW International President and Past Australian President

BPW has lost a true icon with the passing of Beryl Nashar on 12 May 2012 and she served the women in the world with passion and commitment. Beryl will always be remembered and honoured by BPW Australia as there is a perpetual trophy “Beryl Nashar Women of Achievement Award” The recipient of the Award is a member who has demonstrated the same qualities as Beryl who believed that: We should work hard and be prepared to accept responsibility.

To read the BPWA President, Marilyn Forsythe’s, tribute to Beryl please see the attachment: VALE – Beryl Nashar

Australia Takes Up Seat on UN Women Executive Board

MargaretTipper — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:40:21 +0000

Australia’s appointment to the UN Women Executive Board will further strengthen our commitment to women’s empowerment, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said today. Australia and Solomon Islands will both take up seats on the UN Women Executive Board from 1 January 2013, providing a unique opportunity to increase the profile of issues facing women in the Pacific, in particular the prevalence of violence against women. “When I met with Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, earlier this month, I reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the cause of gender equality,” Senator Carr said.

For full details read the Foreign Minister’s Press Release: Australian Seat on UN Women Executive Board Apr12

Women In the Workforce Winning

MargaretTipper — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:08:09 +0000

Media Release from BPWA President 16th April 2012 MR16Apr12 – Women in the Workforce Winning

Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill

MargaretTipper — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:15:29 +0000

BPW Australia responds to the Inquiry in to the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012. BPW Australia supports the expansion of the Act to men and all employers and employees in the workplace by amending the short title of the Act to Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. With a primary focus of increasing women’s full participation in the workforce, BPW Australia is cognizant of the structural changes required by business to deliver equal opportunity and flexible workplaces for all employees – men and women. The renaming of the Agency serves to reinforce this.

The full statement is attached: Equal Opportunity in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012

EOWA 2012 Employers of Choice for Women announced

Bridgette — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:36:35 +0000

BPW Australia congratulates the organisations recognised as EOWA ‘Employers of Choice for Women’ on 13 March.

BPW Australia National President Marilyn Forsythe said, “It is a benefit to working women in Australia that 125 companies have met the criteria for the ‘EOWA Employer of Choice for Women’. These are companies that realise women can make a positive difference to their business culture and the balance sheet. We hope that next year the list will multiply as organisations see increasing the number of women as a positive factor in all aspects of their business. BPW Australia encourages you to make your money talk and do business with these 125 companies and show your support for the difference they’re making.”

For all the details and the full list of organisations go to EOWA

Yes, it’s International Women’s Day

Bridgette — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:00:42 +0000

Around the world, 8 March is marked in many different ways. For some it’s a designated public holiday, for others it’s a day to give gifts such as flowers and chocolates, and especially recognise mothers.

Whatever you’re doing today, take a moment to think about what International Women’s Day symbolises. It’s a day to celebrate, respect, appreciate and honour the women in our lives. A day to honour women’s economic, political and social achievements. A day to acknowledge women’s political and human rights. And a day to increase political and social awareness to prompt action on the ongoing challenge for freedom that women face worldwide.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins, on economic empowerment for women and what it means

Bridgette — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:43:47 +0000

Speech from UN Women Australia Forum, National Press Club, Canberra, 6 March 2012

Julie Collins speech 060312

Women’s Global Business Incubator to Launch in New York 2 March 2012

Bridgette — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:33:38 +0000

A ground breaking social enterprise called the BPW Business Incubator Project initiated by Belmont Business Enterprise Centre in Western Australia (Belmont BEC) and Textile, Clothing and Footwear Resource Centre of Western Australia Inc. (TCF Global) and supported by BPW International will launch internationally on March 2 in New York.

The BPW Business Incubator Project will provide online training and mentoring to develop the business skills and business growth potential of women in new or existing homebased, micro & small businesses. Webinars on over 40 business topics such as Business Planning, Starting a Fashion Label, Manufacturing Pitfalls, Import/Export and eCommerce will be available. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about global sourcing from women vendors directly from the International Trade Centre.

The project will be officially launched at a parallel NGO event during the Fifty-sixth Session of the United Nations – Commission on the Status of Women (CSW56) at forum ‘Empowering Creative Rural Women Through Enterprise Development and Global Fashion Opportunities’.

VIP Guest Speakers will include:

Freda Miriklis – President, BPW International
Sharon Graubard – Senior Vice President, Trend Analysis, Stylesight
Lexy Mojo Eyes – Nigerian Fashion Promoter and President
Carol Hanlon – CEO of Belmont BEC, TCF Global and member of BPW Australia and BPW International Asia Pacific Committee

More details here Women’s Global Business Incubator 010312 and here TCFGLOBALbooklet_CSW HANDBOOK..

BPWA Comments on the Historic Equal Pay Case

MargaretTipper — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:34:20 +0000

BPW Australia has released a statement in regard to this historic decision made on the 1st February 2012 by Fair Work Australia.

Media Release SACS Award Feb 2012

Equal Remuneration Case

MargaretTipper — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:25:33 +0000

150,000 mainly female workers across Australia, on the 1st February 2012, were granted a historic pay increase with the Full Bench of Fair Work Australia handing down its decision on the Equal Remuneration Case. The workers affected were those that work with some of the most vulnerable people in the community and are paid under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award. The pay increases will be paid in 9 instalments over the next 8 years and by 2020, the community sector will see total increases of 18% up to 41%! Congratulations to all those that worked towards this. A copy of the full Decision can be found at www.fwa.gov.au