Is Australian philanthropy gender-inclusive enough? AIIW Survey uncovers the challenges surrounding gender equity.
Australians Investing In Women (AIIW) unveils valuable insights on gender-focused philanthropy in Australia. Their annual State of Gender-wise Giving Survey offers a crucial benchmark for understanding current practices and challenges.
Launched in 2023, the survey assesses the philanthropic efforts of leading Australian organisations regarding gender equity. The 2024 results paint a cautiously optimistic picture:
- Growing Awareness: A significant rise in recognising the importance of a “gender lens” in giving strategies is evident.
“The key metrics for AIIW are all positive,” said Garreth Chandler, Founding Partner at The Evolved Group, a partner in the survey. “There’s a core group of committed donors, and this can be expanded by advocating for the gender lens approach and its benefits for all.”
- Commitment to Equity: Leading organisations are demonstrating a commitment to gender equity within their own structures, such as HR and leadership positions.
- Collaborative Giving: Co-designing giving programs with beneficiaries is gaining traction.
- Recognition of AIIW: Australians Investing In Women’s role in promoting gender-focused giving is on the rise.
However, progress is not without hurdles:
- Data Challenges: Measuring and tracking gender-targeted giving remains a significant obstacle for many organisations.
- Knowledge Gaps: Trustees often lack the training and expertise to prioritise gender equity in giving strategies.
- Competing Priorities: Balancing gender-focused giving with broader organisational goals can be challenging for some trustees.
- Legacy Influences: Family foundations may be influenced by founders’ wishes, potentially limiting a focus on gender equity.
- Limited Resources: Early-stage philanthropic organisations may struggle with implementing effective measurement and tracking systems for gender-wise giving.
- Fear of Imperfect Data: Some organisations are hesitant to implement imperfect assessment methods, hindering progress.
AIIW CEO Julie Reilly OAM emphasised the urgency of action: “The World Economic Forum predicts it will take 134 years to achieve global gender equality. We must act now to ensure a fairer future for generations to come.”
“Australia ranks 24th on the Global Gender Gap Index,” Ms Reilly added. “Despite being a developed economy, harmful gender norms persist, limiting opportunities for women. This inequality hinders progress for everyone.”
While the survey sample doesn’t encompass the entire AFR Top 50, the 28 leading participants, representing over $1 billion in philanthropic efforts, provide valuable insights.
The full findings and resources on gender-wise giving can be found on the AIIW website: https://www.aiiw.org.au/
This research by AIIW provides valuable guidance for Australian organisations to enhance their philanthropic efforts towards achieving gender equality.
Also read: Queensland launches jobs program for women over 40
Milton writes as both an occupation and a hazard. He also works on the newsletters you see on Tuesday and Thursday with articles you should find interesting.
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