International Women’s Day (IWD) is on Thursday 8 March 2018 and celebrations will be held across the world to mark the day.
IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The theme this year is #PressforProgress, a call to action for accelerating gender equality.
We can all play a part in improving outcomes for women and this year’s theme provides an opportunity to press even harder for progress.
This could include challenging out-dated attitudes and stereotypes, leading by example to ensure women are heard and respected, supporting flexible work environments, and celebrating women’s successes.
Follow @officeforwomen and #IWD2018 on Twitter to keep up to date with news and events on International Women’s Day.
You can also get involved through the #PressForProgress campaign.
For more information see the IWD website.
Each year at AIATSIS we celebrate International Women’s Day to acknowledge the women around the globe who continue to empower women and girls through leadership, advocacy, strength and courage.
Whether its women in their local communities and regions or on the international stage, women continue to strive to make a difference to the lives of children and families
Over the years, we have produced an International Women’s Day poster that features an inspirational image from the AIATSIS Collection or a prominent role model in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Find out more about the meaning behind our collection of posters and print them off to display at your school, workplace or community centre to celebrate International Women’s Day. HERE
The image for the 2018 International Women’s Day poster has been drawn from the AIATSIS Collection to coincide with the 2018 National NAIDOC Theme Because of Her, we can!
This striking historical image speaks to the strength of the women who have gone before us to create the world we live in today.
Part 1.2 ICTV is excited to celebrate International Women’s Day
Description From many different places, and speaking many different languages, Indigenous Australian women from all over the country have produced amazing videos for ICTV.
ICTV is excited to celebrate International Women’s Day with 12 hours of special programming.
Celebrating Indigenous Australian Women behind and in front of the camera.
Thank you for sharing your stories.
Read the 330 NACCHO Aboriginal Women’s Health articles published over the past 6 years
Download the 2018 Aboriginal Health Calendar
NACCHO 2018 Save a date Calendar
Part 2 NAIDOC Week 2018 Because of her, we can!’ Grant Applications close 3 April 2018
Communities across the country will be supported to celebrate NAIDOC Week this year with a $1.4 million grants round.
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, encouraged communities to apply for a grant to host a local celebration.
“NAIDOC Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Minister Scullion.
“The Coalition Government proudly supports NAIDOC Week each year. Local grants will enable communities to host their own events, for example a cultural showcase or family fun day.”
The 2018 NAIDOC theme ‘Because of her, we can!’ celebrates the important contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made and continue to make to our nation.
“In addition to the local grants, the Government will support the 2018 National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony – which honours the achievements of First Australians across a number of fields”
Minister Scullion said that hundreds of events will be held across the country to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
“I look forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week this year and encourage all Australian communities to get involved.”
“NAIDOC Week celebrates the rich and unique place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and their history, culture and language in our nation and I encourage all communities to consider ways to get involved through the Coalition Government’s grant round,” Minister Scullion said today.
Applications close 3 April 2018 at 5pm (AEST). Further information on the 2018 NAIDOC Grants is available at https://pmc.gov.au/resource-centre/indigenous-affairs/2018-naidoc-grant-funding-round-application-kit
Part 3.NAIDOC Week 2018 Sunday 8 July and continue through to Sunday 15 July
Will celebrate the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made – and continue to make – to our communities, our families, our rich history and to our nation.
Under the theme – Because of her, we can! – NAIDOC Week 2018 will be held nationally from Sunday 8 July and continue through to Sunday 15 July.
As pillars of our society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played – and continue to play – active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national levels.
As leaders, trailblazers, politicians, activists and social change advocates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women fought and continue to fight, for justice, equal rights, our rights to country, for law and justice, access to education, employment and to maintain and celebrate our culture, language, music and art.
They continue to influence as doctors, lawyers, teachers, electricians, chefs, nurses, architects, rangers, emergency and defence personnel, writers, volunteers, chief executive officers, actors, singer songwriters, journalists, entrepreneurs, media personalities, board members, accountants, academics, sporting icons and Olympians, the list goes on.
They are our mothers, our elders, our grandmothers, our aunties, our sisters and our daughters.
Sadly, Indigenous women’s role in our cultural, social and political survival has often been invisible, unsung or diminished.
For at least 65,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have carried our dreaming stories, songlines, languages and knowledge that have kept our culture strong and enriched us as the oldest continuing culture on the planet.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were there at first contact.
They were there at the Torres Strait Pearlers strike in 1936, the Day of Mourning in 1938, the 1939 Cummeragunja Walk-Off, at the 1946 Pilbara pastoral workers’ strike, the 1965 Freedom Rides, the Wave Hill walk off in 1966, on the front line of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972 and at the drafting of the Uluru Statement.
They have marched, protested and spoken at demonstrations and national gatherings for the proper recognition of our rights and calling for national reform and justice.
Our women were heavily involved in the campaign for the 1967 Referendum and also put up their hands to represent their people at the establishment of national advocacy and representative bodies from the National Aboriginal Congress (NAC) to ATSIC to Land Councils and onto the National Congress for Australia’s First Peoples.
They often did so while caring for our families, maintaining our homes and breaking down cultural and institutionalised barriers and gender stereotypes.
Our women did so because they demanded a better life, greater opportunities and – in many cases equal rights – for our children, our families and our people.
They were pioneering women like Barangaroo, Truganini, Gladys Elphick, Fannie Cochrane-Smith, Evelyn Scott, Pearl Gibbs, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Celuia Mapo Salee, Thancoupie, Justine Saunders, Gladys Nicholls, Flo Kennedy, Essie Coffey, Isabel Coe, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Eleanor Harding, Mum Shirl, Ellie Gaffney and Gladys Tybingoompa.
Today, they are trailblazers like Joyce Clague, Yalmay Yunupingu, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Nova Peris, Carol Martin, Elizabeth Morgan, Barbara Shaw, Rose Richards, Vonda Malone, Margaret Valadian, Lowitja O’Donoghue, June Oscar, Pat O’Shane, Pat Anderson Jill Milroy, Banduk Marika, Linda Burney and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks – to name but a few.
Their achievements, their voice, their unwavering passion give us strength and have empowered past generations and paved the way for generations to come.
Because of her, we can!
The National NAIDOC poster competition and award nominations will open in the coming weeks. Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander artists aged 13+ are encouraged to start working on artwork which reflects the 2018 theme. Keep an eye on the website and the National NAIDOC Facebook page for more details.
Click here to download the National NAIDOC Logo and other social media resources
Part 5 Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) I Adelaide this week
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar invites all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls (12 – 17 years) to join the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) conversation
We encourage as many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls to yarn with us in 2018.
Whilst we would like to hear from as many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls as possible, we will not be able to attend every community.
We therefore ask that if you are unable to attend a community event that you have your say by making a submission to us.
engagements in VICTORIA are complete.
We visited Mildura on Monday 19th – Tuesday 20th February, and Melbourne on Wednesday 21st – Friday 23rd of February.
This week, Monday 5th March – Friday 9th March, we will be in SOUTH AUSTRALIA – Yalata, Ceduna and Adelaide
Part 6 Sisters Inside’s International Conference #BeyondTheBars2018
Remember to register you’re interest to attend Sisters Inside’s International conference 14-16 November in Brisbane Don’t miss #AngelaDavis #jackiehuggins @congressmob @KPateontheHill #PatTurner @NACCHOAustralia #GinaDent #imaginingabolition #BeyondTheBars2018
Part 7 Strong Women, Strong Business Conference 1-3 May 2018
IBA is thrilled to announce the launch of Strong Women, Strong Business. A first of its kind conference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are in business or looking to start a business.
Held over three days in beautiful Glenelg in Adelaide, this unique event will bring together Indigenous businesswomen from remote, regional and urban Australia, across all stages of business and all industries, to achieve a true cross-section of the strong Indigenous women wh…o are in business today, and will be tomorrow.
IBA will cover the costs of air travel, accommodation, transfers to and from the hotel and meals within the conference program for successful applicants. Spaces for this amazing conference are limited, so please tell us as much as you can about you, your business and why you would like to attend.
Applications close 5pm, Friday 23 March so please register today by visiting www.strongwomenstrongbusiness.com.