This International Women’s Day (IWD), the Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) is celebrating the hundreds of women across the state who work in the sector, a powerful economic driver in regional Tasmania. 

This year’s IWD theme – Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress – is putting a spotlight on women’s economic empowerment, a known contributor to thriving communities.  

We know that when women have equal opportunity to earn, learn and lead there is a very wide positive impact beyond individual businesses and households. 

In 2023, approximately 23 per cent of forest industry employees are women. Year on year we see the percentage of female employees, and women in leadership positions increasing.  

Forest and timber processing businesses in Tasmania are doing the work to address employment barriers for women, which incidentally, help men as well.  

These barriers might include recruitment strategies, workplace flexibility, pay equity and safe workplaces for all.  

“Women are key to ensuring we have a robust and future focused industry in Tasmania. Part of the importance of International Women’s Day is demonstrating the wide-ranging roles of women and their successes – so that others can be inspired to join the industry”, TFPA Chief Executive Officer Nick Steel said. 

“From CEOs and CFOs, to environmental engineers, sustainable forest managers, sales leads, lawyers, accountants, drivers, safety professionals, ecologists and apprentices, there are hundreds of critical, high impact experts making a difference for the industry and Australia.”  

“This International Women’s Day we celebrate the wonderful contributions women have made and continue to make in forestry and, encourage those to take the leap and work for a future-proof industry, like forestry”.  

“Our industry is dedicated to investing in women and continuing to accelerate their valued participation. We will continue to grow women’s participation year on year.  

“This IWD, the TFPA recognises all the women involved in our forest and timber industries. It’s a unique employment experience and with global demand for fibre increasing and the amplified support the industry is receiving from State and Federal Government’s, it’s a career opportunity with no limitations,” Mr Steel said.