Balance The Scales.

This year’s theme, 'Balance the Scales', is a reminder that progress toward gender equality isn’t automatic. It requires deliberate choices about how organisations recruit, develop, and recognise their people.

Most leaders would agree that gender equity matters. Yet, good intentions alone won’t close the gaps in pay, progression, safety or opportunity. Real progress comes from embedding equity into how we work every day.

It starts with visibility—because organisations can’t improve what they can’t see. When companies have clear insight into pay equity, representation, skills and career progression, gender equity becomes something they can actively measure and be accountable for, not just aspire to. It also means moving toward a more skills-based approach, where people are recognised for their capability, potential, and contribution at every level.

To reflect on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, we sat down with our Directors to talk about what 'Balance the Scales' means to them, what it will take to get there, and where Newpol stands today.

In addition, we continue to invest in career progression and leadership development across the business. This is not about creating opportunities based on gender, rather about recognising talent and supporting those who demonstrate capability and a desire to grow. We are seeing more women step into leadership pathways, and we are committed to continuing that momentum.

At the same time, we recognise the reality of operating within a male-dominated industry. Female participation remains low and, while policies and flexible working arrangements can improve accessibility, it is widely acknowledged that more needs to be done to attract and retain women in construction.

We are actively working to address this by engaging with schools to help influence attitudes early. Through our participation in careers days, we aim to promote the many opportunities within the industry while spotlighting the women across our business. Our “Careers in Construction” sessions—most recently delivered to entire Year 9 and 10 cohorts at Avila College Mount Waverley and Sacred Heart Girls' College—showcase the wide range of career pathways available and aim to inspire the next generation of women to consider a future in construction.

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation with Alastair and Lukas was that championing women for just one day a year is not enough. Meaningful progress requires a collective effort, with men playing an active role in the conversation—particularly given the number of leadership positions they hold across the industry and broader society. It is not the responsibility of women alone.

Many women are already advocating, speaking up, and pushing for real change. However, genuine progress requires the involvement of everyone—especially male allies. Our leaders and colleagues must play a critical role in shaping the culture of our industry and workplaces. Men also need to be part of the conversations taking place today, because real change happens when everyone—not just women—is involved in the discussion.

We should celebrate the women in our lives and the progress we’ve made—small wins matter because they build momentum, strengthen culture, and show that change is possible. Yet the reality remains: our industry has a long way to go—and so do we. This isn’t about perfection or overnight results; it’s about a shared commitment to do better every single day. When companies make a deliberate effort to collect and report accurate data, they gain clear insights into pay equity, representation, skills, and career progression—making gender equity both measurable and actionable.

Together, let’s Balance the Scales, to lead workplaces that are fair, inclusive, and accessible for every woman and girl; to lead an industry where women feel safe, heard, respected, and empowered.