Words by Petra Buchanan
As we approach UN Women’s International Women’s Day 2025 and its theme, “March Forward: It’s Time to Turn Promises into Progress”, Women in Media is proud to unveil a first-of-its-kind dataset that provides a clear picture of gender equality and women working in the Australian media industry.
At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts face mounting political and corporate resistance – particularly in the United States where President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle DEI initiatives – this dataset serves as both a wake-up call and a call to action. The rollback of inclusion policies in the US is not occurring in isolation. Globally, there is a growing pushback against gender and racial equity measures. In Australia, while progress has been made, the persistence of gender pay gaps, leadership disparities, and workplace discrimination signals that DEI commitments must be reinforced, not weakened.
One critical piece of progress in Australia is the Respect@Work legislation, which reinforces the commitment to safer workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Combined with the legislated Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) reporting, this legal framework ensures transparency and accountability, particularly concerning gender pay gaps and workforce representation. This kind of policy is essential at a time when global markets may be stepping back from DEI commitments.
Compiled by Dr Leonora Risse, an economist specialising in gender equality, this report offers a tailored dataset that dissects workforce trends by occupation and sector – insights that aren’t readily available elsewhere.
The findings reveal both progress and persistent barriers for women working in media, providing an evidence-based foundation for individuals, organisations, and policymakers to understand where gender disparities persist and where action is needed.
Despite women comprising 49 per cent of the media workforce, they remain underrepresented in leadership roles, holding just 30 per cent of CEO and managing director positions. The gender pay gap continues to be a pressing issue, with women in publishing earning 16.4 per cent less than men and those in broadcasting earning 11.8 per cent less. These figures highlight the urgent need for systemic change in career advancement, pay equity, and workplace culture.
The Women in Media Dataset also highlights intersectionality, showing that women from diverse cultural and Indigenous backgrounds face greater barriers to entry and career progression. Additionally, women in media retire with significantly less superannuation because of lower lifetime earnings, career interruptions, and being overrepresented in part-time and freelance roles. This reflects the long-term financial consequences of gender inequity.
At Women in Media Australia, we are committed to increasing gender equality, extending leadership and economic opportunities for women, and building safer, more respectful cultures in Australian workplaces. Our aim is to empower industry leaders, employers, and workers with the knowledge needed to drive real change. The current global pushback against DEI serves as a reminder that progress is not guaranteed – it must be actively defended and advanced.
As we approach International Women’s Day 2025, this report is a timely reminder: progress requires action. Understanding the numbers is the first step – now, it’s time to turn promises into progress.
📥 Download the Women in Media Dataset full report now to gain critical insights into gender equality in media—and share this dataset to drive awareness and action across the industry.
📊 Access Women in Media Dataset graphs here
Petra Buchanan is a company director with an executive career in media, technology and business sectors. She is the current Acting Chair and non-executive director of AMPCO, the Australasian Medical Publishing Company, is a Strategic Advisor to Women in Media Australia, and an Advisory Board Member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Australia.