Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s launch of the Women in Manufacturing Strategy, describing it as a key step toward achieving gender equity within the traditionally male-dominated sector.
While celebrating the initiative, WHISE is urging policymakers and stakeholders to adopt an intersectional approach to ensure that all women can benefit from the strategy, regardless of their backgrounds or identities.
“The strategy must reflect a commitment to valuing the diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives that women bring, regardless of their intersecting identities or backgrounds,” said WHISE CEO Kit McMahon.
She stressed the importance of embedding inclusivity and a strengths-based approach throughout the strategy’s implementation.
WHISE, a long-time advocate for gender equality and health equity in southern metropolitan Melbourne, believes that providing women with equitable access to opportunities in manufacturing will generate mutual benefits.
This includes empowering women to thrive in the workforce while contributing to productivity and economic growth within the sector.
“The Women in Manufacturing Strategy is an exciting and necessary step forward,” McMahon stated.
“We must ensure that this plan supports and empowers all women—not just those with existing access to resources and networks.”
She also highlighted the potential of women from marginalised communities, noting that their talent, resilience, and skills are often overlooked.
“It’s crucial that we take deliberate action to eliminate barriers to work and create opportunities for all women to succeed. When we do this, it’s not just good for women—it benefits the entire community.”
A key initiative aligned with the government’s strategy is the “Nice Work if You Can Get It” project, led by WHISE in collaboration with the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) and Chisholm TAFE.
This project aims to address both systemic and practical obstacles that hinder women’s participation in manufacturing, particularly in apprenticeship pathways.
“Through our work on the ‘Nice Work if You Can Get It’ project, we are collaborating with industry and education partners to break down barriers to equity within the manufacturing sector,” McMahon said.
“It is our mission to ensure that women from all walks of life can see themselves thriving in industries like manufacturing, where diversity is celebrated and strengths are acknowledged.”
WHISE urged the Victorian Government to ensure the strategy tackles all forms of discrimination, warning that inclusivity is essential for building sustainable workplaces where women from all backgrounds can succeed.
