The Victorian Women’s Health Services Network (WHSN) embraces the key themes for International Women’s Day 2024; “Count Her In: Invest In Women. Accelerate Progress” from UN Women Australia, in line with the priority themes of Internationally based UN Women campaign.
Both the global and local Australian themes highlight the imperative to fund initiatives promoting gender equality and economic justice for all women.
Tricia Currie, CEO of Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and Chair of the Victorian Women’s Health Services Network, expressed her enthusiasm for the 2024 themes, stating, “This year, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to emphasise the importance of economic empowerment, and the crucial need to financially support the work of feminist and women’s organisations in the fight for gender equality.
“This must include adequate investment to ensure equal opportunities for education, skills, work, and careers. We must strive to grant all individuals access and control over their economic resources and opportunities.”
The Victorian Women’s Health Services confirm their collective support for the UN Women themes for International Women’s Day, emphasising the leadership of UN Women in advocating for gender equality as a human right over decades, contributing meaningfully to the evidence-base and driving change globally.
“The Victorian Women’s Health Services’ International Women’s Day messaging aligns with that of UN Women Australia,” said Ms Currie.
“Work towards gender equality must be collective and cohesive. It involves long-term efforts to address systems and structures – changing norms, attitudes, and behaviours – that contribute to the persistent pay gap, workplace gendered violence, gender-segregated workforce, and inequities in women’s education and training pathways.”
“If we genuinely aim to address the economic injustice faced by many women across Victoria, we must take notice of the evidence and act upon it,” emphasised Ms Currie.
“This means allocating resources and funds for gender equality work, collaborating with feminist organisations, and implementing programs and policies that address the barriers to women’s economic equality embedded in the social determinants of health.”
