Diversity, equity and inclusion
RANZCOG is committed to improving diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes for our members, trainees, staff, patients and the general public.
Below you can find information on current Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) projects at RANZCOG.
Current projects
Consumer Engagement Framework (CEF)
Strong partnerships exist when everyone is treated with dignity and respect, when information is openly shared, and when participation and collaboration in organisational processes are encouraged and supported. As such, consumer voices need to be properly represented at the highest levels of governance and decision-making for them to have the greatest impact on the future.
A review of our existing consumer engagement began in late-2023. The purpose of this project is to design a comprehensive and integrated consumer engagement framework (CEF).
The CEF will establish the foundations and guiding principles of the College’s engagement with consumers, and will promote engagement that is strategic, coordinated, measurable, and influential. The CEF will reflect contemporary and evolving good practices in consumer participation and encourage consumer-initiated engagement with the College.
The new Consumer Engagement Framework is expected to be released in mid-2024.
Gendered Language Project
RANZCOG is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming space for all who are part of our College and those who access specialist health services within the community. Acknowledging the need for inclusive language and environments for all, we are actively looking at how the College can best achieve this.
The Gendered Language Project commenced in 2022 with an extensive literature review, membership consultation in May 2023 and internal consultation with various committees, working groups and staff of the College to provide recommendations on tangible actions that the College can implement, in facilitating safe spaces for gender diverse people within the healthcare system.
Three key themes and areas of need have emerged:
Patient and community safety
Accuracy and specificity in language
Promoting inclusive environments
These will be used to establish a formal Action Plan Report, which will facilitate and guide our efforts in the implementation of initiatives geared towards fostering safe and inclusive environments for all who access them.
More information
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024-26
The RANZCOG Innovate RAP outlines RANZCOG’s actions in continuing the journey towards reconciliation between First Nations and non-Indigenous people. The Innovate RAP outlines our commitment and dedication to gaining a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of First Nations peoples, how we can use our sphere of influence to advocate for the best outcomes in health for First Nations people and advance reconciliation.
The RANZCOG Innovate RAP was released in March 2024.
More information
Committees and Working Groups
Below are the committees and working groups that are across various projects and initiatives within the DEI space.
Consumer Network Working Group
The Consumer Network Working Group (CNWG) is made up of a diverse group of members of the community and some College members, who provide valuable input into College work by giving an independent patient, community and public perspective on women’s health in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The aims of the group are to:
Act as a critical friend of the College, providing a patient/community/public perspective to support the work and strategy of the College
Identify and proactively raise the views, interests and concerns of patients, the community and the public on matters relating to O&G women’s health
Provide patient/community/public input to topics under debate or issues referred to the Network by committees or College staff
Work with the College to find solutions and strategies to improve women’s health and the quality of O&G services
Cultural Safety Steering Group
The Cultural Safety Steering Group (CSSG) reports to the RANZCOG Board via the Professional Standards Committee (PSC) and is responsible for overseeing the embedding of cultural safety initiatives in RANZCOG education and training programs, codes of conduct and professional standards across the College.
The CSSG consists of members from across Australia and New Zealand who bring a depth of experience, knowledge, and backgrounds to inform our work and progress within the cultural safety space.
First Nations Health Committees and Working Groups
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Committee
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Committee reports directly to the RANZCOG Board and is comprised of First Nation members and trainees. The committee advocates for the health and equity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing O&G care and provides advice to the RANZCOG Board and other committees on matters relating to this.
RANZCOG Indigenous Network Group
The RANZCOG Indigenous Network Group (RING) is a First Nations group that informally reports to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Committee. The RING was created by and for First Nations members and trainees to have a safe and informal space to yarn about issues they face, both within their field of medicine and the wider community. This also provides an opportunity for trainees and members to seek and provide peer support and share cultural knowledge with their colleagues.
The RING is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and trainees within RANZCOG. If you are interested in joining, please email firstnations@ranzcog.edu.au.
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
The Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAPWG) reports to the RANZCOG Board via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Committee. The RAPWG is instrumental in the development and implementation of the RANZCOG Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024 – 2026.
RANZCOG recently launched our Innovate RAP 2024-2026 which can be viewed on our Reconciliation Action Plan page along with the launch event details.
Environmental Sustainability Working Group
The Environmental Sustainability Working Group (ESWG) will report to the RANZCOG Board via the Governance, Finance, Audit and Risk Management (GFARM) Committee.
The ESWG will advise the College on practices and strategies for future environmental sustainability, and is responsible for:
Overseeing the College’s Carbon Neutral Project
Advising on strategies to reduce the College’s environmental footprint and embedding these practices into College operations and initiatives as BAU
Advocating for the reduction of the environmental footprint within the O&G profession and health services more broadly
Formation of this group is expected in Q2, 2024.
Workplace accreditations and citations
Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace
The Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace accreditation aims to remove the workplace as a barrier to breastfeeding. Creating workplace environments with the space, time and supportive culture is necessary to support breastfeeding employees.
In late 2023, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), proudly received accreditation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace from the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
With a vision and mission of Excellence and Equity in Women’s Health, receiving this accreditation further solidifies our commitment to prioritising health, inclusivity, family, support, and equity that empowers our members, trainees, and staff.
An organisation where people feel valued and supported not only for their professional and work contributions but also as people with personal and family-related commitments, encourages more positive and productive outcomes, better decision-making and fosters and encourages community spirit.
DCA Inclusive Employer
The Inclusive Employer Index is an annual survey that measures employee diversity and inclusion experiences in the workplace. Following the Index survey, DCA assesses participating organisations and announces the list of Inclusive Employers who exceeded the National Index Benchmark in at least five out of the six following areas: awareness, engagement, inclusive organisational climate, inclusive leadership, inclusive team, and exclusion.
“I am proud that RANZCOG has been recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2023-24! We have been working hard to grow our collective understanding and implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusive culture and practice within the organisation. As we continue our DEI journey, we have also committed to raising awareness and cultivating change for diversity and inclusion at work for our members and trainees, and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of this. This is a great achievement for us, and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this happen. Thank you!”
Vase Jovanoska, CEO, RANZCOG
“We’re incredibly proud that RANZCOG has been recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2023-24 by the Diversity Council of Australia. This important achievement highlights our ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive environments where our members, trainees, and staff feel valued and empowered for the diverse experiences and perspectives they bring to the table. Supporting and growing a workforce that is representative of our diverse community and membership leads to improved decision-making, innovation, psychological and physical safety, increased engagement, and better health outcomes for our community. I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this happen, particularly my wonderful PW&F department who continue to drive positive change at RANZCOG.”
Daniel Petkovski, Executive Director of People Wellbeing and Facilities, RANZCOG
Great Place to Work
Great Place to Work gathers and evaluates employee feedback to recognise companies who have built high-trust, high-performance cultures. Their belief is that a great workplace is one where employees trust the people they work for, have pride in the work they do, and enjoy the people they work with – and that experience must be consistent for every employee, no matter who they are, what they do, or where they work.
Our results indicated that 82% of employees at RANZCOG say it is a great place to work, which is compared to 56% of employees at a typical Australia-based company.
Work180 Employer of Choice Endorsement (Top 101)
WORK180 promotes organisational standards that raise the bar for women in the workplace around the world. It does this by endorsing and supporting workplaces that are committed to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, and making it easy for women to find fulfilling roles with them.
RANZCOG has been recognised as a WORK180 Employer of Choice for Women since 2022. This accreditation is one of several ways that RANZCOG showcases its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where all staff can thrive.
WRK+ Best Places to Work
WRK+ specialises in company culture and supports companies in constructing and improving their workplaces through their Best Places to Work study. The Best Places to Work study assesses organisations on their employee engagement and satisfaction and advises organisations in their journey to improving their workplace culture.
In 2022, RANZCOG successfully completed the rigorous assessment process led by WRK+. RANZCOG met the criteria required for the Best Places to Work accreditation, which was based on our employees’ feedback and assessment of our policies and practices.
Congratulations on these wonderful results that we have achieved together! We all hope to continue our journey together and build our strong workplace.
A special thank you to our employees and members for their continued support in making our organisation who we are today.
#CountHerIn: RANZCOG Ranks in Top 101 Places for Women to Work on International Women’s Day
Policies and procedures
Policies and procedures
Policies and procedures
Child and vulnerable people safeguarding policy
Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy
Whistle-blower Policy
Breastfeeding/Lactation in the Workplace Policy
Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Gender Equity and Diversity Policy
On-Demand Webinars
Interested in learning more about past DEI initiatives at the College? Have a look at our on-demand webinars below.
NAIDOC Week
Let’s Talk About Gender-Based Violence
Gender Inclusion
Gender Equity
Further reading and resources
Acquire (members only)
Additional resources
Still looking for more? Check-out the below additional resources.
College contacts
Interested in finding out more about a particular diversity, equity, and inclusion project? Or have an idea for a future project or initiative? We’d love to hear from you!
First Nations: firstnations@ranzcog.edu.au
General Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: equityanddiversity@ranzcog.edu.au
Wellbeing: wellbeing@ranzcog.edu.au