1. WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY
Facts, Trends and Advice
Presented by: Melanie O’Toole, Australian Delegate,
APEC Women & the Economy - 2011

2. GLOBAL - TRENDS & FACTS
 Women represent half of the world’s population, 3.3
billion.
 Women represent 40% of the world’s labour force.
 Women are the major household purchaser,
making or influencing 64%
of purchases.
 Women now control $20 trillion of global consumer
spending (Source: CNN, Boston Consulting Group, Harvard Business
Review).

3. ASIA PACIFIC - TRENDS & FACTS
 Losing between $42-$47 billion per year
because of restrictions on women’s access to
employment opportunities. (Source: UN Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 2007).
 An additional $16-$30 billion per year because
of gender gaps in education (Source: UN Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 2007).
 Closing the gender gap in access and use of productive
resources could increase agricultural output in the
developing world on average by 2.5%-4%. (Source:
United Nations, 2011).

4. AUSTRALIA – TRENDS & FACTS
 13.6% of women engaged in trade/technical roles.
 More women enroll and complete tertiary
education than men.
 51% of the Australian population are women, yet
they are under-represented in decision making roles.
 Women hold only 8.4% of board directorships.
 Women hold only 4.1% of CEO and Executive Role
Positions.
(Sources: Australian Human Rights Commission, Nov 2011 – www.hreoc.gov.au Department of
Education, Employment & Workplace Relations – ww.deewr.gov.au, 2011)

5. GLOBAL CASE STUDIES – CURRENT ACTIONS
USA
Singapore New Zealand

6. CURRENT ACTIONS - AUSTRALIA
 ASX listed companies required to report annually on
their board and management diversity plans.
 National Paid Parental Leave introduced in 2011 to
help working parents.
 Right To Request Workplace Flexibility in place.

7. FURTHER ACTIONS
 Keep skills up-to-date.
 Request for Gender Pay Parity Audits.
 Improve negotiation skills.
 Keep focused on productivity and the business case.

8. BE INFORMED, BE INVOLVED
 Boards and committees.
 Government and public submissions.
 Networking and Support – online, face-to-face, group,
individual.

9. ABOUT THE PRESENTER
 Policy contributor to organisations and governments.
 Board Director – Private, Commercial, Government.
 Gender Audit Advisory Services.
 Workplace Productivity Impact Assessments.