International Women’s Day on 8 March celebrates the achievements of women while acknowledging the need for continued work towards gender parity.
Australia ranked 43rd out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index for 2022. We sit well behind New Zealand (4th), the United Kingdom (22nd), and the United States (27th).
Unconscious bias is a huge problem for women and its starts at recruitment processes and goes right through work-based promotions to board appointments.
It is as subtle as it is commonplace and the sooner we can break stereotypes and see the many examples of bias, the better off everyone will be.
Because, believe it or not, both males and females are disadvantaged by the current inequalities.
On a positive note, since 2016 the City of Greater Geelong has marked International Women’s Day with the Women in Community Life Awards.
This year, more than 20 local women have been nominated in seven categories for outstanding contributions in areas including disability rights, women’s health, climate action, education, human rights, innovation for a gender-neutral future, and leadership in the community as a First Nations Woman.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender
Equal Future’. This draws attention to the fact women make up only 16% of Australia’s STEM-skilled workforce.
Our event keynote for 2023 is Ally Watson, founder and CEO of Code Like a Girl, a social enterprise providing girls and women with the confidence and tools to enter the currently male-dominated world of coding.
Ally is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur (and recent OAM recipient) who is passionate about gender equality in technology.
The 2023 Women in Community Life Awards will be held on Wednesday 8 March at Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct, 137-149 Mercer St, Geelong, from 5pm to 7.30pm.
Admission is free. For more information or to register for the event, please visit geelongaustralia.com.au/wiclawards.
