We have come a long way in our quest for gender equity, but of course there’s still plenty more to do.
Having women participate more in all sectors of our community – and recognising their contribution – is essential.
It gives us greater diversity in our thinking – more people from different backgrounds and with different life experiences create more ideas and new solutions.
There are genuine benefits for all of us when we embrace equity across the board, including when it comes to gender.
There is also still a significant pay gap for women, and we are under-represented in leadership roles in almost all industries.
All these issues are connected, and so it’s important that we continue to raise awareness of them and work together to solve them.
Next Friday, March 8, is International Women’s Day. This event every year is an opportunity to shine a light on the gaps, but also highlight the incredible successes of women all around the world.
We’ll be doing just that in Hobsons Bay.
Next Thursday, at the Altona Meadows STEAM Centre, we’ll be hosting a panel featuring local women who have made their careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics).
It’s a great chance to celebrate the successes they have had in what might once have been considered non-traditional roles for their gender and to hear about their STEAM journeys.
Also on next Thursday is a business networking event in Williamstown which is being held jointly by Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong councils.
The keynote speaker will be Julie Hirsch, the co-founder of Eloments Vitamin Teas and Mullin Mulling Spices.
Julie is a former Victorian Business Woman of the Year and was named on the Forbes Asia 30-under-30 list.
You can find out more information about these events at the Hobsons Bay council website.
