After a tumultuous year where the ongoing pandemic has amplified the inequalities faced every day by women and girls, celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) and standing together on Monday, March 8, is more important than ever.
Highlighting the significant barriers to accessing the leadership roles which are a key contributor to a more equal society, this year’s IWD global theme is ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a Covid-19 World’.
As the first female MP for Granville, and only the second female Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Julia Finn says it’s incredible to think that both of those roles were only ever filled by men for over 100 years.
“We need decision makers to represent and reflect the community, and put the issues that affect the entire community on the agenda,” she said.
“It’s also important for girls growing up in Australia to know that they could serve their community as an MP or even as Prime Minister – to know that no path is barred to them.”
State MP for Auburn, Lynda Voltz, also recalled a “fantastic program” called ‘Girls Can Do Anything’ when she was a student at Birrong Girls High School in the 1970s and said it helped her feel empowered.
“The success of that movement is reflected in the strong representation of women in elected positions in our local community,” she said.
