Media Release on 26 October 2010:
Page MP Janelle Saffin says there need to be more women in the boardrooms of Australia.
Ms Saffin is calling on suitably experienced local women to apply for a new scholarship program aimed at increasing the number of women on boards.
Applications opened today for the Board Diversity Scholarship Program, a $400,000 election commitment from the Australian Government which is jointly funded with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
The scholarships will assist women to attend the AICD’s Company Directors course or Mastering the Boardroom course and participating women will receive a one-year membership of the AICD.
Ms Saffin said the program is designed to prepare talented women to join the boards of companies, community groups and Government organisations.
An Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace census found that only 8.4 per cent of board directorships in the ASX 200 are held by women.
The Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis, said Australian women are continuing to be shut out of our most senior corporate boardrooms.
“The board scholarship program is aimed at getting more Australian women- who already have the skills, abilities and experience to be strong contributors-onto our corporate boards.” Ms Ellis said.
Janelle Saffin said applications for the Scholarship Program are being sought from suitably qualified women from various backgrounds from around Australia, including rural and regional areas, and she encouraged women from the Page electorate to apply.
Suitable background for the course includes experience as a board member; an executive or advisor reporting to a board; a senior executive reporting to a CEO; a senior government or public official; or senior academic.
The scholarship recipients will be selected by representatives of the AICD and the Australian Government’s Office for Women.
This initiative complements the Australian Government’s commitment to increased representation of women on Government Boards.
Applications close on 12 November, 2010 and more information is available at www.companydirectors.com.au/diversityscholarship
Photograph from The Northern Star
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