International Women’s Day 2019 will focus on gender balance and is expected to result in renewed calls for equal representation of women in the workplace and in cultural and political institutions.
First held over a century ago as International Working Women’s Day, for much of its history IWD has focused on achieving equal rights for working women across the world.
Grown from union roots, the event was first recognised by the United Nations in 1975 and now seeks to foster global solidarity among all women and includes an annual thematic focus.
Balance for Better
The 2019 theme is Balance for Better. “Balance is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage. Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.”
“The campaign runs all year long. It doesn’t end on International Women’s Day. The theme provides a unified direction to guide and galvanize continuous collective action, with #BalanceforBetter activity reinforced and amplified all year.
Supporters are encouraged to strike the (balance for better) pose – arms outstretched to the side with palms upturned to resemble a set of scales – and post a photo and message on social media with the campaign and event hashtags.
IWD and CSIRO
The CSIRO Staff Association has a long track record supporting women in science and CSIRO. From improving conditions, organising events and providing scholarships, the Association is proud to support the achievements of women in CSIRO.
However much more needs to be done to embrace gender diversity and achieve greater representation of women at all levels across the organisation.
In 2019 the Staff Association is encouraging members to embrace the origins of IWD by joining with colleagues from the union movement through attending community events, as well as engaging at the workplace level in locally organised CSIRO and Staff Association branded activities.
IWD Community Events
| Perth | 4 – 6pm | Saturday 2 March | 1 Billion Rising community event, meet Northbridge Piazza. Email elizabeth.hulm@csiro.au |
| Perth | 5.15pm | Friday 8 March | Rally and march to Change the Rules. Meet Supreme Court Gardens (behind the Supreme Court). Email melanie.booth@cpsu.org.au |
| Darwin | 11am – 3pm | Saturday 2 March | IWD High Tea. Meet Harvest Coffee Shop in Anula. RSVP to lou.lenzo@gmail.com |
| Hobart | 7pm | Monday 4 March | IWD Quiz Night hosted by Unions Tasmania. AEU Office Patrick Street, Hobart. Limited tickets available. Email madeline.northam@cpsu.org.au |
| Brisbane | 5.30pm | Thursday 7 March | IWD Union Aid Abroad fundraiser. CEPU Office Peel Street, South Brisbane. Email cwills@qieu.asn.au |
| Melbourne | 5.30pm | Thursday 7 March | IWD documentary screening. CPSU Office Queen Street, Melbourne. RSVP to sophie.wilkinson@cpsu.org.au |
| Geelong | 9.30 – 10.30 am | Friday 8 March | AAHL IWD forum. Special guest is Kristi Van Es, founder of Offspring. Email louise.jarman@cpsu.org.au |
| Sydney | 11am – 1pm | Saturday 9 March | Rally and march. Meet Hyde Park Archibald Fountain. Email rosemary.ryan@cpsu.org.au |
| Sydney | 2 – 4pm | Saturday 9 March | Women democracy and climate Justice. Parramatta Mission, 119 Macquarie Street, Parramatta |
This list will be regularly updated with new events.