There are many important and diverse dates in March to recognise and celebrate, from Labor Day and St Patrick’s Day to World Hearing Day and World Wildlife Day.
Without a doubt, one of the most commanding is International Women’s Day (IWD).
In Australia, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and to reflect on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and equity.
International Women’s Day (8th March) is acknowledged worldwide and has even been deemed a public holiday in 28 countries.
It is a day to recognise the contributions of women to society and to inspire future generations of women to continue fighting for their rights.
As a woman in my sixties, I have witnessed the slow changes and advancements that have been made over the decades in the fight for gender equality but there is still so much more to achieve.
In my lifetime, I have seen women enter the workforce in larger numbers and take on leadership roles in all areas of society.
I never thought I’d ever get to see Australia with a female Prime Minister and a female Governor-General; let’s hope it doesn’t just stop at one.
It was 1943 before a woman was elected to the Australian Senate or the House of Representatives. In spite of this slow beginning, as of January 2023, there are now 58 women in the Federal House of Representatives and 43 of the 76 Senators are women.
And currently four of the seven justices of the High Court of Australia are women.
Australia has made significant progress towards gender equality in recent years and women have broken through the glass ceiling in many industries and taken on leadership roles that were previously male-dominated.
The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me – Author Ayn Rand
Despite these achievements, there is still much work to be done to achieve gender parity, equal pay and to stop discrimination and gender-based violence.
Women in Australia still earn less than men, with a gender pay gap of 13.4%. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Gender Gap Report, it will take 99.5 years to close the global gender pay gap at the current rate of progress. The report also found that women are underrepresented in leadership roles with only 17.1% of CEOs being women and that they are more likely to work in low-paying industries.
Women are more likely to face domestic and family violence, with one in four women experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner and sadly, each week in Australia, a woman dies as a result of domestic violence.
When I was growing up, women were all too often relegated to traditional gender roles and were rarely recognised for their contributions and achievements. This was especially the case in male-dominated industries, including the media.
When I started working, women were not only paid less (and far too many still are) but in many companies, you had to resign when you got married and when you fell pregnant.
As those days fade into history I hope we never forget the tireless efforts from feminists of all genders and the determination of women everywhere, to help make significant progress towards achieving gender equality.
Now maternity/paternity leave allows women to finally have options in relation to their work and career path while planning and raising a family.
‘I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept’. – Angela Davis, US Political Activist, Philosopher, Academic, Author
Each year, the United Nations chooses a theme for International Women’s Day.
In 2021, the theme was appropriately named ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World’. This theme was designed to highlight the disproportionate impact the Covid pandemic had on women and the need to increase women’s representation in leadership roles.
This year’s theme, ‘Choose to Challenge’, is particularly meaningful as it encourages each of us to challenge gender bias and inequality and to promote gender equality.
What can individuals do to help challenge gender bias and inequality?
First and foremost, it is important that we educate ourselves and be aware of the challenges that women face.
This could include learning about the history of the feminist movement, reading books and articles written by women and about women and seeking out the perspectives and experiences of women in our own lives.
Another key step is to challenge gender stereotypes and biases, both in ourselves and in others. This can include calling out sexist jokes, language and actions, as well as promoting and supporting women in leadership positions.
It is vital to empower women and girls by encouraging and supporting their dreams and aspirations. This can include mentoring and sponsoring women in our communities and workplaces, and promoting girls’ education and opportunities.
Another important way to challenge gender bias and inequality is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women. This includes highlighting the stories and accomplishments of women who have broken down barriers and shattered stereotypes
‘I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard’ – Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, who advocates that, ‘One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world’.
This certainly speaks to the power of education and the impact it can have on individuals and communities.
US talk-show Queen Oprah Winfrey encourages us to, ‘Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness’.
Oprah’s quote communicates the importance of embracing failure as an opportunity for growth and the confidence to pursue our goals and aspirations.
‘Women’s rights are human rights’– Former US Senator & First Lady Hillary Clinton
Another influential woman worth singling out is the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020), the former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Justice Ginsberg was a champion of women’s rights and fought tirelessly to ensure that women were treated equally under the law. One of her famous quotes is, ‘Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you’.
Her quote expresses the importance of advocating for what is right, but also doing so in a way that inspires and motivates others to join the cause.
I like the wishful thinking of US business executive, billionaire, and philanthropist Sheryl Sandberg, who says, ‘In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders’.
As Louis Armstrong often sang…’what a wonderful world that would be’.
As we continue to work towards a more equal world, let’s ensure we keep remembering all the wonderful women who came before us and who continue to inspire us to push for change.
Stay strong and safe
About The Author - Susie Elelman
Susie Elelman is an Australian television presenter, radio broadcaster, and author, most famous for her appearances on daytime television in Australia. She has been an ambassador of the Australian Menopause Centre since 2016 and it is a pleasure to have such an influential figure support our work.