The latest edition of WA Works – CCIWA’s subscription-only magazine covering major project and supply chain news – smashed the statistics when it comes to gender representation in defence, construction, infrastructure, energy and resources.

From the country’s biggest naval vessel upgrade, the AMCAP program, to the heads of some of the largest global resource companies including Shell and Fortescue, not to mention the state’s biggest rail infrastructure project, Metronet, women were featured across the board.

Of the 28 feature and opinion articles this issue, 61 per cent quote one or more women, well ahead of previous editions where 10-15 per cent was the norm, a symptom of the fact that men are usually the spokespeople put up by the businesses contacted for comment.

“It wasn’t difficult. We achieved this without deviating from our core content of major projects and supply chain news,” says stand-in editor Robyn Molloy.

“In this edition, we wanted to send a subtle yet powerful message that, despite women making up just 12 to 18 per cent of the industries we cover, we could smash the statistics.

“We set ourselves the challenge to feature as many women working on major projects as we could find, in recognition of International Women’s Day held in March while we were compiling the magazine.”

CCIWA CEO Chris Rodwell says this quarter’s edition of WA Works recognises the importance and value of strong women in the workforce, particularly in the male-dominated industries of resources, construction and defence.

“In Western Australia we have many successful, professional women who are role models in their chosen field, with this edition providing readers with just a small snapshot of their successes,” Rodwell says.

“An important element of achieving gender equity is for CEOs and business owners to make it a personal priority for them. Showing that both men and women can develop highly successful careers in industries that are typically dominated by the alternative gender will go a long way toward boosting gender equity and ultimately boosting WA’s productivity.”

Former governor and ECU Chancellor Kerry Sanderson contributed a column where Rodwell’s would normally appear, while CCIWA Chief Economist Rick Newnham handed over to Apprenticeship Support Australia’s Manager Lena Constantine.

Fortescue Group Deputy CEO Julie Shuttleworth also came on board as a guest contributor.

The magazine hopes that simple change can make a difference to gender representation and aims to feature more women in upcoming editions.

This edition identified at least $3.4 billion in planned investment for seven new ventures in the state, on top of the $5.4 billion identified in the last edition.

► For access to exclusive and comprehensive coverage of WA’s supply chain and major projects, subscribe to WA Works here.