Australian National University to Mark International Women’s Day with Series of Events
The Australian National University (ANU) will celebrate International Women’s Day on , with a range of events and discussions focused on gender equity and the challenges facing women. The university emphasizes its commitment to celebrating women every day, with International Women’s Day serving as a focal point for important conversations.
This year’s events include a panel discussion titled “Inspire Inclusion” on , and the First Nations Women Leaders in Public Policy Lecture on . The university also plans to host the Pamela Denoon Lecture, an annual feminist lecture held in March to commemorate International Women’s Day, focusing on gender, peace, and security.
ANU Sport will offer free Group Fitness Classes for individuals who identify as female from to as part of the celebrations. A panel discussion, “Women in Leadership – Balancing the Scales,” is scheduled for , from 6-7pm, bringing together women leaders from community advocacy and public life.
The events also coincide with the university’s ongoing work on its first Gender Equity Strategy, highlighting the continued global struggle for gender equality and the need for sustained effort. According to the ANU, the university seeks to engage with the important conversations about gender equity and the issues facing women in all walks of life.
Professor Michelle Ryan, Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at ANU, argues that while significant progress has been made since the first International Women’s Day over a century ago, deeply rooted gendered attitudes and stereotypes remain stubbornly persistent. “Things like gender stereotypes between men and women and what the division of labour should look like in the household are really stubborn; they have hardly changed at all [in the last 100 years],” she reportedly stated in an interview with The ANU Reporter.
Ryan further emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and intersectionality in achieving gender equality, stating, “You can’t just achieve gender equality on one dimension while excluding people on other dimensions – that’s not how it works.”
The ANU Agrifood Innovation Institute, the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development, and the ANU Gender Institute will collaborate on , to discuss “Careers in an evolving world.”
Recent LinkedIn commentary from the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership – ANU highlights the need for continued reflection on gender equality and the progress made, as well as the work that remains to be done for women and gender diverse individuals both in Australia and globally.
One commenter, Katie Howe, shared her experience of being asked personal questions about her marital status and homeownership in business meetings, noting that such inquiries are rarely directed towards male colleagues. “I’m looking forward to the day when business folks of both genders no longer ask whether I’m married or have kids… 30 years in my industry and I’ve never heard a bloke asked these questions, in the context of a business meeting,” she wrote.
