Hobsons Bay urged to #choosetochallenge this #IWD

Published on 08 March 2021

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Today, Monday 8 March, Hobsons Bay joins the rest of the world in acknowledging and celebrating International Women’s Day.

Council is supporting and promoting women who are active in our community, as well as programs that shine a spotlight on the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The internationally recognised event is also a reminder of the journey still to travel to achieve gender parity.

Locally, many events are being held in March, including a film screening at Hobsons Bay Libraries depicting the Women’s Liberation Movement in Australia, and a screening of Girls Can’t Surf at the open-air cinema at Seaworks. Michelle Gatzoubaros of SHE Conversations has hosted the latest in a series of events for women in business. Kim Reilly and the folk at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre in Altona are having free Tai Chi at Logan Reserve on Tuesday 9 March and there will be a monthly run of comedy events at Newport Bowls Club focussed on women, presented by local promoter Stellavision.

There are also other ways to support International Women’s Day. Support businesses owned and operated by women and find out more about networks that promote and provide opportunities for women. Join the Hobsons Bay Boomerang Bags crew and sew reusable cloth bags or volunteer alongside the 2021 Hobsons Bay Young Citizen of the Year Melissa Sheedy and 2019 Citizen of the Year Marilyn Olliff at the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre.

If music is your thing, join local women’s community choir Willin Wimmin or enjoy the many public art pieces in Hobsons Bay produced by women, such as Pauline Fraser’s Seaborn at Altona Pier, Ness Flett’s street art in Aviation Road, Anuradha Patel’s Whirlpool installation at the Warmies and Williamstown Botanic Gardens, Aretha Brown’s We Are Here mural at Challis Street and more.

For more information on International Women’s Day, visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Quotes attributable to Cr Tony Briffa

“Women and girls are very diverse.  We can come from different cultures, have different religions, interests, abilities, sexual orientations and sex characteristics.  Many of us have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual abuse or assault, and even discrimination in the workplace just for being women.  As a lifelong feminist impacted by the negative effects of outdated sex and gender stereotypes, I am proud to be a human rights activist that works towards sex and gender equality both locally and internationally.  

 

“The City of Hobsons Bay has a great record of supporting women, but we can always do more.  I’m looking forward to the release of our Gender Equity Plan and to working with the community to continue to make strides towards equality and the breakdown of stereotypes.  International Women’s Day reminds us that we have come a long way, but there is still much work to do.”

 

Quotes attributable to Cr Diana Grima

“As an advocate of local aged care, I can appreciate the challenges that many women in this industry have faced over the past 12 months. Lower pay, long hours, on the frontline of a global pandemic. These women have shown strength, resilience and commitment to their job and their community at a time when it has been needed most.

“Growing up, I was privileged to have both my parents instil in me and my siblings that all of us have the right to aim high and that we are all equal.

“I am also a mother of two boys and hope to raise them with an educated view that women can do anything and should be given the opportunity to do so.”

 

Quotes attributable to Deputy Mayor Cr Daria Kellander

“Some said that I couldn't run for Council because I had a 1-year old daughter. On the day I nominated to run, I quoted American filmmaker and singer Gina Carey who said, ‘A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink’. I am proud of the achievements I have made in proving that having a young child is no obstacle to success. 

 

“While women’s rights have come a long way, there is still so much to be done to remove the social barriers to women's participation in leadership. As a mother of a little girl, I want her to see and know that she can overcome obstacles with determination and tenacity. Let's celebrate and acknowledge the strong women in our lives.”

 

 Quotes attributable to Cr Pamela Sutton-Legaud

“As a feminist and joint Hobsons Bay Women’s Charter Champion, I recognise that over the past 12 months, women have played an essential role in the battle against COVID, many as frontline workers, carers and social workers. However, women have also paid a high price during the pandemic, with Victorian weekly payroll data analysed in 2020 showed that the rate of female job loss was almost five times the rate for men. 

“COVID-19 has amplified existing structural inequalities and International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to continue conversations about gender parity and full gender equality so that our daughters can be treated with respect, safety and dignity.”

 

 

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