"You can’t be, what you can’t see." These words from Marian Wright Edelman resonate deeply with Kate Berg, Manager Environment and Climate Adaptation.
As a woman working in the water industry, Kate has seen first-hand the importance of representation and visibility in achieving equity and inclusion.
“Being equitable means changing systemic and structural barriers and embedded culture that get in the way of people being able to thrive.”
To do this Kate believes that we need to call out inequity as we see it.
“The behaviour we walk past is the behaviour we accept.”
Kate recalls her early employment as a graduate was working with only a handful of women. All the executives were men where they mostly spoke about footy. Kate also struggled to find women’s field gear and had to wear men’s pants.
“It was hard to feel comfortable as a female in that environment and it was very intimidating.”
Since then, Kate has seen significant change including the introduction of mandatory 50% women participation on Victorian Government boards.
“Even though many people don't agree with quotas, this is what equity is, an additional measure to get a ticket to the game.
“It's exciting to see a gender balance of executive teams and boards now.
“Leading with empathy, compassion and vulnerability is now seen as a strength and not a weakness. And we don’t have to discuss footy.”
Kate is proud to have worked on the Water for Victoria Plan, which highlighted the necessity for gender equality and diversity within the water industry.
“This ground-breaking plan identified the need to promote gender equality and diversity within the water sector.”