Program Overview
What makes NAWO’s Gender Equity Men (GEM) program different?
At NAWO, we understand that many men want to advocate for gender balance but need better access to tools, practices and a community to empower them to make that happen. That’s why, together with Our Watch, we’ve created the Gender Equity Men (GEM) Program, forming part of the NAWO Mentoring program.
- For men, the GEM program is a valued opportunity to learn how to advocate for gender balance, supported by a network of mentors, peers and professionals who also want to make that happen.
- For NAWO corporate member organisations, the GEM program serves as a powerful lever for enabling Gender Equity, creating an engaged community of male allies, fostering inclusion and leadership growth.
Through GEM Mentoring, the NAWO Mentoring Program fosters personal development and growth for all genders, connecting mentees with a wide network of mentoring alumni and industry leaders, to promote inclusion and gender balance.
Join our GEM information session on December 10!
Register for our GEM information session Download our GEM information brochure 2026 NAWO GEM Program: Terms & Conditions
Program Partner:
Mentors for the GEM program are selected by NAWO. If you have rich experience in gender-equity and allyship and would like to express interest in being a 2026 GEM mentor email: [email protected]
What participants say about the program
Paul Feasey
Belinda Bright
What our mentees say
I found the mentoring program to be extremely insightful & loved the mix of presentations & group activities. The group activities gave me an opportunity to hear other people’s real life experiences including successes & roadblocks which has helped me to better understand how I can assist & be a better ally & advocate for change.
I rated the program highly because it actually made me stop and think about how I lead and what I can be doing better to support the women in my team. I didn’t join just to tick a box I joined because I wanted to put it into action and that’s exactly what I’ve done.
Since starting GEM I’ve been way more intentional with how I back my team in. Whether it’s organising the Women’s Field Day being flexible with work hours for one of my team who’s just come back from maternity leave or supporting my female Ops Coordinator through the tougher stuff like ADRs I’m not just saying I support gender diversity I’m actually showing it.
Gave me more confidence to pull up behaviour that doesn’t align with the culture I want. I’ve made hard calls including letting someone go for how they treated others and I stand by it. If I say I value respect then I’ve got to follow through.
I felt really supported by my mentor and fellow GEM participants within my circle. It allowed for great and open conversations. The overall program and topics … really supported my learning and helped to understand and be more aware of the obstacles to opportunity and equity that women experience and face.
Looking for more info?
Download our GEM Information Brochure 2026 Contact us at [email protected] NAWO GEM Program: Terms & Conditions
Further information for Mentees
Q: Why should I take part?
A: We recommend you take part in GEM if you:
- Work in Operations and are mid-career level or a leader
- Aspire to grow your capacity to support gender balance and equality in operations
- Are committed to playing an active role in your own development, career progression and/or leaders
- Have the capacity and availability to take part for the full program (12+ hours over 3 months)
- Have the support of your organisation and your manager to participate
- Are open to actively sharing in Mentoring Circle Discussion Groups of 4-6 men; supported by male or female mentors
Q: How will participating in NAWO's GEM programs improve my career?
A: GEM mentees are more likely to be regarded as leaders and advocates for achieving both gender-balance and gender equity in their organisation and across industry. As a GEM mentee you gain:
- Expert advice and guidance from Our Watch and select male and female operational leaders who volunteer their time as NAWO Mentors
- NAWO and Our Watch tools and resources
- Structured mentoring discussions, learning from real experience
- Expanded networks and peer insights
- Enhanced Leadership Skills – including the ability to champion inclusion and embed inclusive behaviours and gender balance in operations.
Q: What does the GEM program cover?
A: The GEM Program is designed to equip men from operations with the tools and resources they need to enhance their inclusive leadership capability and champion gender balance, equity and inclusion within their organisations and broader circles of influence. Delivered in partnership with Our Watch, in 2026 the program will run for 12+ hours from April – June and cover:
- Advocating for gender equality
- Assessing policies and practices a with a gender lens (leave policies, flexible work, rostering schedules)
- Sponsoring gender balance and diverse talent in the workplace
- Unconscious (and conscious) bias
- Assessing risk for sexual harassment and gendered violence in the workplace
- How gender equality creates supportive and safe workplaces for men
- How to be an active bystander
Q: Am I eligible to participate?
A: Individually, GEM Mentees:
- Are men who work in operational industries and are passionate about gender equality
- Are committed to playing an active role in their own development and career progression
- Are NAWO Members (Individual or Corporate)
- Have the capacity and availability to work with a mentor for the full program
- Have the support of their organisation to participate (time and/or cost)
NAWO Member organisations are welcome to submit cohorts of up to 10 GEM participants.
Participating in the GEM Mentoring Program is capped, so there are limited spots.
Q: How much time is expected to complete the program?
A: Please allow 12+ hours across the duration of the program from April – June 2026.
2026 Program timeline:
- GEM Onboarding- Wed, April 1st (1 hour)
- Session 1 – Wed, April 29th (2 hours)
- Session 2 – Wed, May 6th (2 hours)
- Session 3 -Wed, May 13th (2 Hours)
- Session 4 – Wed, May 20th (2 hours)
- Session 5 – Wed, May 27th (2 hours)
- GEM end of program session – Wed, June 27th (1 hour)
All online sessions will start at 1:00PM AEST
Please ensure you are available for all Program Sessions (April – June).
All sessions will include breakout discussions with your Mentor(s) and mentoring circle of 4-6 Mentees.
Q: I live rurally, can I still participate?
A: Yes, this is a virtual program delivered online.
Q: Can I choose my mentor or mentoring circle?
A: No. NAWO invests considerable time and capability in hand-matching our mentors and mentoring circles. GEM Mentors are selected from our broader network of NAWO Mentors because of their particular experience in gender equity in organisations.
Your mentoring circle will consist of 4-6 other male mentees, matched by NAWO. These will be men working within operations; from diverse NAWO Member organisations.
Q: Will my mentor be a woman?
A: NAWO mentors are from all genders.
Q: What does it cost to participate?
A: As a NAWO member, the program fee is $750 including GST. If your organisation is not a NAWO Corporate Member, you can join as an individual member (with all the broader NAWO membership benefits) for $99.