Changing Game Ahead Of International Women’s Day

  • Minister for Women

Gender equality, human rights icon and twelve-time Grand Slam tennis Champion Billie Jean King has headlined a star-studded field today at the Change Our Game International Women’s Day Symposium.

Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams joined the global tennis superstar and a host of Victoria’s leading sporting figures at Federation Square today for a special celebration of women in sport, ahead of International Women’s Day this Sunday.

The Symposium heard from some of the sporting sector’s leading thinkers, including Ms King, as they shared their insights, knowledge and experiences on the important role community sport plays in levelling the playing field for women and girls – driving positive cultural change.

Victoria is striving to fill the MCG for the T20 Cricket World Cup final on Sunday with more than 55,000 tickets already sold, which will feature reigning World Cup champions, Australia on home soil taking on India – which coincides with International Women’s Day.

The record attendance for a women’s sports event in Australia stands at 53,034, for the 2019 AFLW Grand Final at Adelaide Oval. The world record is 90,185, for the 1999 FIFA World Cup final between USA and China in California.

Cricket has already broken new ground with the Women’s T20 World Cup being played as a standalone event for the first time.

The Change Our Game International Women’s Day Symposium follows the recent passing of the Andrews Labor Government’s landmark Gender Equality Act – a once in a generation opportunity to improve gender equality for all Victorians.

The legislation applies to public sector workplaces and will help close the gender pay gap, improve gender equality at all levels of the workforce and reduce workplace sexual harassment.

Women continue to be under-represented in sports leadership at the Executive Officer level and that’s why the Labor Government has committed $7.2 million towards the Change Our Game initiative, to give women the opportunity to access leadership positions in sport and reach their full potential off the field.

Tickets for the ICC T20 World Cup final are available at t20worldcup.com.

As stated by Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams

“Sport has the power to change attitudes, mould behaviours and save lives. That’s why we are so committed to seeing men and women, boys and girls, playing together as equals.”

“I am calling on all Victorians – sports lovers and Katy Perry fans alike – to Fill the G and get behind women in sport across the globe this Sunday.”

“We all play a critical role in challenging outdated gender stereotypes, fighting bias, and creating a more equal playing field for all.”

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