One of the things we love most about our work at Diversity Partners is the breadth of impact — from guiding change in top ASX corporates to supporting capability development in local communities.
A key part of this is leading Gender Impact Assessments (GIAs) for Victorian local councils. The goal? To ensure that services, programs, and policies reflect the needs of our diverse communities.
By applying an intersectional lens – considering gender, socio-economic status, cultural background, age, sexual orientation, disability, and more – GIAs highlight where gaps exist and where opportunities for positive change lie.
For example, a recent GIA for a metropolitan council highlighted that:
- Lower-income women and single mothers (particularly from culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds) face greater housing stress and risk of homelessness.
- Older women, especially from CARM groups, experience higher rates of poverty, limited transport options, and social isolation.
- Young men, especially in some local suburbs, face higher rates of early-adult unemployment and social isolation.
Insights like these are incorporated into the four-step GIA process, which then gives councils a structured pathway to design strategies that improve access to housing, transport, community spaces, and decision-making for everyone.
They key takeaway: When we intentionally consider diverse experiences, we create communities where all people – women, men, and gender-diverse individuals – feel seen, supported, and included.
