Media Statement - 28th January 2010
The Australian Government has welcomed the results of a new initiative to enhance female leadership in the Royal Australian Navy by expanding the program.
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, said that the Government is committed to improving opportunities for women in the ADF to undertake leadership roles.
"The Navy Women's Leadership Program was conducted throughout 2009 with 28 women and was the first program of its kind in the ADF," Mr Combet said.
"The program provided the opportunity for female leaders, from the rank of Leading Seaman to Commander and APS equivalents, to participate in five Australian Women and Leadership Forum events.
"I am pleased to announce that the Women's Leadership Program will be conducted again in 2010, and will include for the first time a women's mentoring program for an additional 50 Navy women.
"The new mentoring program is highly regarded and has been implemented in many corporate and public sector organisations around Australia, as part of gender diversity strategies to help women achieve their career potential and counter the gender imbalance in the workforce.
"The female officers, sailors and public servants who completed the program provided extremely positive feedback and have indicated strong enthusiasm and motivation to implement their new skills in the workplace," Mr Combet said.
"The Navy Women's Leadership Program aligns itself with the objectives outlined in the Chief of Defence Force Action Plan for the Recruitment and Retention of Women in the ADF."
The programs are being run as part of the New Generation Navy initiative, which seeks to improve Navy's culture, leadership and structure.