North Melbourne has joined forces with the State Government, La Trobe University, Connections Uniting Care and the Carlton Football Club to take part in a new Workplace Equality and Respect project.

The pilot project aims to help Victorian workplaces change their policies and practices to prevent violence against women, led by Our Watch – the national advocate for change in the culture, behaviour and attitudes that underpin violence against women and their children.

Mason Wood and Kayne Turner were on hand to lend their support at the launch.

Roos Managing Director and CEO Carl Dilena said the project was an important one.

“We are proud to be part of one of the first gender equality strategies in Australian sport and aim to change behaviours that contribute to inequality and trivialise violence against women,” Dilena said.

North Melbourne, along with others taking part in the pilot project will help finalise standards in the workplace and help workplaces promote women’s participation and opportunities, challenge attitudes that support violence, challenge gender stereotypes and roles and, think critically about structures that might reinforce inequality.

Our Watch CEO Mary Barry said her organisation was pleased to have North’s support.

“Our Watch is delighted to be working with these four high-profile organisations to promote gender equality and respect in their workplaces,” Ms Barry said.

Dilena said the club was well aware of the responsibilities it had to its own employees as well as members and fans.

The standards the club will help finalise will be released in May 2017, and will be made available to all Victorian workplaces to help others lead the way.