Frankston City Council

The collaboration between Women's Health in the South East (WHISE) and Frankston City Council (FCC) exemplifies the power of strategic partnerships in driving sustainable community change. This long-standing alliance has evolved over the years, consistently adapting to address emerging needs and leverage new opportunities in the pursuit of gender equality.

Building on the successful leadership program from the previous year, which engaged over 100 council leaders in understanding gender equality and workplace sexual harassment, WHISE and FCC have deepened their commitment to capacity building. The "Empower Leaders in Gender Equality" initiative laid a strong foundation, integrating measurable goals into leaders' performance plans and paving the way for more advanced training modules.

Comprehensive Training Program

The partnership's strategic approach is evident in its comprehensive and multi-faceted training program. By offering both in-person sessions and self-paced online modules, WHISE and FCC ensure that the learning is accessible and adaptable to various schedules and learning preferences. The curriculum is carefully designed to build upon existing knowledge, particularly in areas related to the prevention of family violence and the implementation of the Gender Equality Act 2020.

In-Person Training Sessions

WHISE delivered several targeted in-person training sessions, each addressing crucial aspects of gender equality:

1. Managing Backlash and Resistance: Multiple sessions were conducted to increase understanding of forms of resistance and backlash, exploring their origins and practicing leadership responses.
2. Unconscious Bias: This session employed active participatory facilitation approaches to unpack the concept of unconscious bias, its manifestations, and its impact on decision-making.
3. Responding to Disclosures in the Workplace: This comprehensive session covered sexual assault, sexual harassment, and family violence, providing context-specific information for the Frankston LGA.

Online Learning Modules

To complement the in-person training, WHISE developed a series of self-paced online training modules integrated into FCC's existing Learning Management System. These modules covered eight key topics:

1. Gender equity and gender equality fundamentals
2. Gender Equality Act (2020) fundamentals
3. Unconscious bias
4. Managing backlash and resistance
5. Gender Equality in the Workplace
6. Responding to disclosures in the workplace
7. Menopause
8. Gender equity and Councillors fundamentals

This comprehensive online offering ensures that all staff members have access to essential information and tools for promoting gender equality, regardless of their ability to attend in-person sessions.

Tools for Change Sessions

In an innovative move, the partnership facilitated five 'Tools for Change' sessions in collaboration with The Men's Project, Jesuit Social Services. These sessions were specifically designed for City Works and Parks Teams, demonstrating the partnership's commitment to engaging diverse groups within the council.

Tangible Outputs and Impact

The partnership between WHISE and FCC has produced several tangible outputs:

1. Training Materials: Comprehensive materials for both in-person and online training, including presentations, handouts, and interactive exercises.
2. Online Learning Modules: Eight self-paced modules integrated into FCC's Learning Management System, providing ongoing access to critical information.
3. Performance Plan Goals: Measurable goals related to gender equality integrated into leaders' performance plans, ensuring ongoing commitment and accountability.
4. Feedback and Evaluation Data: Collected from all training sessions, providing insights into the effectiveness of the programs and areas for future focus.

The impact of these initiatives is evident in participant feedback. For instance, after the Managing Backlash and Resistance sessions, participants reported increased understanding of types of resistance and greater confidence in applying their learning. One participant noted their key learning was "the subtle ways of resistance that I hadn't realised were resistance".

The strategic nature of the WHISE-FCC partnership is further underscored by its alignment with broader policy frameworks, such as the MARAM Framework and the Gender Equality Act 2020. This ensures that local efforts are contributing to and benefiting from larger-scale initiatives, creating a more cohesive and impactful approach to gender equality.

Through this multifaceted, strategic partnership, WHISE and Frankston City Council are not just implementing programs; they are fostering a cultural shift within the organisation. By addressing both individual and systemic factors, from unconscious bias to organisational policies, they are laying the groundwork for lasting change. This approach recognises that true gender equality requires more than just awareness—it demands sustained effort, practical tools, and a willingness to challenge and evolve deeply ingrained societal norms.

As the partnership continues to evolve, its impact extends beyond the walls of the council, influencing the broader Frankston community. By empowering council leaders and staff with knowledge, skills, and strategies to promote gender equality, WHISE and FCC are creating a ripple effect that has the potential to transform the entire local government area, making Frankston a model for gender equality initiatives in local governance.