Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC), the Victorian peak body for gender equity, women’s health and
prevention of violence against women, is proudly celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) and
calling for ongoing action to advance gender equity across our community, our economy and our
society.
“By working in collaboration with our members and partners to advance gender equity, we discover
that we really are More Powerful Together as the Australian IWD theme suggests” said Ms Kit
McMahon, Chair of Gender Equity Victoria.
“Standing in unison, as women, men, non-binary and gender diverse people is how we have created
great outcomes for women across our community. However, we know that there is still a vast amount
of work to be done to advance gender equity, promote women’s sexual and reproductive health,
prevent violence against women and support women’s collective voices” McMahon said.
GEN VIC highlights that the pace of change is still too slow: “From seeing low rates of women in
leadership, disproportionately high rates of women living in poverty, inequitable participation rates of
women in the workplace- including inequitable pay, and exposure of women and their children to
family violence we still must take action together” McMahon said.
“As we celebrate IWD we do so while knowing the awful truth that women are still at greatest risk in
the home. We are shocked at the news of Preethi Reddy this week and already we have 11 women in
2019 who have died due to family violence.”
GEN VIC and its members will be proudly attending and supporting a range of events and community
gatherings on the 8th of March for IWD. From major large corporate breakfast events, to small
gatherings over a shared meal in a community hall and ongoing collaborations and advocacy, GEN VIC
members and partners are using IWD to push forward the importance of gender equality – to improve
the wellbeing of all women and, everybody across our community.
“While IWD can focus our attention, at Gender Equity Victoria we believe that every day – not just
International Women’s Day – needs to be a day when we focus on the need to create and maintain
gender equality”.