International Women’s Day (IWD) is recognised on 8 March and is one of the most significant days during Women’s History Month.
The date corresponds to an 1857 protest in New York City, where textile workers demanded a shorter working day and better wages. This watershed moment still resonates through global and grassroots social emancipation movements today.
The priority theme for the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women, Count Her In, challenges us to open conversations about pathways to greater economic inclusion for women and girls everywhere, to reflect on groups who are disproportionately disadvantaged when it comes to economic inclusion and to investigate pathways to reduce that disadvantage.
As IWD 2024 approaches, we encourage you to organise events within your schools, faculties, teams and corridors to celebrate the occasion this March. We also encourage staff of all genders to engage with the attached activity to get these conversations started.
This activity is an opportunity to share stories of women in your family or community who reflect generational change and have made an impact on the lives and careers of those around them.
Please see the details of the activity here.
We hope this activity will help you find ways to reflect on how professional opportunities for women have changed over the years and where future change might be possible. Thank you to Pro Vice-Chancellor Mauritius, Professor Lina Pelliccione, for sharing the idea.
The green, purple and white ribbons worn for International Women’s Day signify justice, dignity, loyalty and equality. This is a much-needed reminder that when we recognise IWD, we make a commitment to ensure the places we live, work and play are inclusive and equitable for all.
