Introducing NAWO’s Nine Dials for Gender Balance

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, achieving genuine gender equity and inclusive representation is no longer a peripheral goal – it’s a strategic imperative. Global studies demonstrate strong links between gender equity and superior financial outcomes and growth; diverse teams make better decisions and innovate more, generating greater resilience and agility in navigating complex challenges to become more competitive; and customers and stakeholders expect it, directly impacting trust and market reputation.

The Nine Dials framework developed by NAWO, offers a transformative tool for organisations ready to move beyond surface level diversity initiatives and embed meaningful, measurable change.

What is the Nine Dials framework?

At its core, the Nine Dials framework is a tool designed to help organisations diagnose their current diversity, equity and inclusion maturity and identify targeted actions for improvement. It recognises that gender inequity is deeply intertwined with other forms of disadvantage, such as race, disability, socioeconomic background and sexuality, and therefore brings an intersectional approach.

The framework is a qualitative evidence-informed diagnostic tool that reflects the complexity of workplace cultures and systemic barriers – it’s not a one size fits all checklist.

The framework encourages organisations to assess their performance across nine interconnected areas or ‘dials’ that influence equitable outcomes. There is an overarching focus on intersectionality, a lens that considers the different perspective of people from different backgrounds and identities. The tool is also framed by three foundational requirements that are critical to achieving gender balanced workplace representation and key to good systemic management: Executive Leadership Commitment, Safety and Respect, and a Values-Based Culture.

The Nine Dials are:

• Equitable Pay
• Flexible Work
• Support for Parents and Carers
• Inclusive Leadership and Allyship
• Inclusive Recruitment and Selection
• Sponsorship and Succession
• Career Pathways, Mentoring and Development
• Job Design and Analysis
• Gaining Individual and Team Buy In

Each dial is underpinned by practical assessment and a sliding scale of systemic maturity, allowing organisations to reflect on their current state and envision a more inclusive future.

A tool for the whole organisation

The Nine Dials framework is a tool for leaders at every level. It’s not just for HR teams or DEI leaders. It’s designed to engage stakeholders across the organisation, from hiring managers to individual contributors.

Everyone plays a role in shaping workplace culture and by involving a broad range of voices in the assessment process, organisations can ensure that change is not only top down but embedded and sustainable.

How it works

The framework provides tailored insights and practical follow-up action plans. Organisations complete the assessment via a structured survey and receive tailored feedback in three key areas: what’s working well, what needs to change (and how can NAWO support that change), and a practical action plan for improvement. This feedback is leading practice and setting a new standard for operations-based organisations including the workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 and the Respect at Work recommendations.

Designed for accessibility and impact, the framework serves as a starting point for deeper conversations and strategic planning, ideally supported by NAWO’s consulting services. We have deliberately designed the tool to be accessible to organisations with varying levels of DEI expertise.

While simplified for usability, the tool is grounded in robust research and informed by real-world organisational challenges.

Why use this tool over others?

NAWO’s Nine Dials framework is the only tool currently available that supports operations-focused organisations to thoroughly reflect on their DEI maturity across distinct business and systemic areas, that when dialled up, can play a key role in building a holistic and sustainable approach to gender balance.

The Nine Dials assessment can be used in conjunction with other checklists and tools such as those provided by WGEA. This tool enables our members to dive deeper and explore hundreds of gender equity indicators that make a measurable difference to performance, productivity and employee experience.

Who can access the framework?

Nine Dials is a comprehensive set of assessment statements aligned to each systemic area or ‘dial’. We have two options available:

The Nine Dials ‘snapshot’ – a condensed version which is free for NAWO Members and non-members alike. This version is available on our website and will provide you with targeted insight into your organisation’s DEI maturity. It will also give you practical recommendations of next steps to move the dial on gender balance in your organisation. It can be used to start conversations, engage leaders, and support your existing DEI efforts.

The full Nine Dial framework tool – available to NAWO Members only, providing a significant assessment of your organisations current state regarding sustainable gender balance. This offering is most impactful when used in conjunction with NAWO’s expert DEI consultant who can work with the tool flexibly, tailoring it to focus on the dials that will be of most benefit to your organisation in the first instance. Three consulting hours are included in your NAWO membership and extra hours can be purchased as required.

The Nine Dials framework – supporting NAWO’s vision

NAWO has a vision for gender balance in the workplace and that is 40:40:20 – 40% women, 40% men and 20% flexible to any gender, including non-binary. This is achievable only when organisations commit to systemic change across multiple business areas.

The Nine Dials framework provides the road map. NAWO provides the support to get you there.