Building Australian infrastructure: What works for women?


Sustainable infrastructure is infrastructure that meets the needs of all users, not just a select few, through its entire lifecycle. It requires listening to women’s specific needs during planning (not just a general call for public submissions), careful gender-sensitive design as noted above and inclusion of women in employment opportunities in infrastructure construction and operation. Infrastructure jobs should not just be jobs for men. Careful thought to work environment, working hours, wage rates and incentives (imagine employer-supported childcare) all contribute to making construction and maintenance apprenticeships and careers more realistic and attractive for women. This is more than just hard hats and work boots in shades of pink.  The Federal Budget should be working hard to make its expenditure on infrastructure efficient for women and for men.

Read the full story on the Power to Persuade blog here.