Raising NAWIC’s profile

We’ve been involved with some exciting initiatives this year that reinforce our core values of “include, respect and inspire.” Gen Z’s may be comfortable with the concept of including women in any workplace, but this commitment tends to fade in older generations. To change this mindset, NAWIC is supporting initiatives across the country where we can.

Lobbying for women

Already this year, NAWIC NZ President Jenny Parker has given two lectures at Massey University on the benefit of women in industry, and thoughts are to launch a student-led NAWIC chapter within the campus in future.

She was also interviewed on live television earlier this year in response to a survey advising that women are paid on average 20 percent less than their male counterparts in the trades.

Pip Buunk and Jenny attended an information session with Mates in Construction (suicide prevention) in March. This programme is to be adapted to suit NZ culture and circumstances, and NAWIC has a strong interest in this. We know how important mental health awareness is especially for women in a male-dominated field, how bullying and harassment can affect us, and what measures can be put in place to protect and support our vulnerable people.

Jenny was invited to share NAWIC’s vision and challenges within the industry regarding Kiwibuild and affordable housing throughout NZ, with key stakeholders.

This meant she spoke at Auckland Build at BuildNZ in late June. She was part of a seminar on 23rd June on gender balance (“less talk, more action”), and participated in the panel discussion on Monday 24th about Kiwibuild.

Sunday 23rd June seminar:

https://www.buildnz.com/visitor-information/seminars-2019/less-talk-more-action-getting-the-gender-balance-right-in-the-workplace/