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## DIvERsIty 

Diversity in employment is a crucial issue these days. Diversity of gender, ethnicity and able-bodiedness creates diversity of thought. That diversity of thought is exactly what companies like ours need especially in times of transformation. 

Even though the newspaper industry has historically demonstrated a bias in favour of men in senior roles, our organisation employs many women in senior editorial and general management positions. There is still room for more diversity. Fairfax wants to encourage even more women to take on leadership roles within the Company while still ensuring that promotion is based on merit rather than quotas. 

Last year, The Australian Financial Review partnered with Westpac to run the inaugural 100 Women of Influence Awards, which was launched with a keynote address by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The program identified Australia’s 100 Women of Influence during a 10-week editorial campaign across 10 categories. 

In 2013, the 100 Women of Influence further cemented its standing as an awards program of note, culminating in a gala event and awards ceremony in October in Sydney. 

Fairfax in New Zealand and Westpac New Zealand have also entered into an exciting partnership that aims to recognise women who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and used their influence to make a positive impact on New Zealand society. 

The NZ Women of Influence awards is an annual program that identifies the 60 most inspiring women of New Zealand across a broad range of categories: management & business; local & regional; entrepreneur; community service & social enterprise; innovation & science; and emerging leader. The emerging leader category is run through Fairfax’s Stuff.co.nz brand. 

The NZ Women of Influence program was launched on June 26 this year. Nominations ran until August 25, with winners to be announced and celebrated on October 23. 

By recognising women in a broad range of roles, we hope to not only celebrate their successes and contribution to New Zealand and Australia but also to encourage other women to make a difference. 

Following the external programs in Australia and New Zealand, Fairfax Women of Influence has recently been rolled out internally at Fairfax to recognise and celebrate the successes of our female staff. Through the program, female staff will have the chance to learn from some of the external program finalists and winners through workshops, seminars, and leadership programs. The Fairfax Women of Influence awards recognise our female employees in six categories: young leader; community leadership; public agenda setting; leadership; innovation; and change champion. 

Our involvement in Women of Influence is an important step towards encouraging greater acceptance of the importance of diversity in employment. 

