Introducing the Women of our community

Recognising and celebrating International Women’s Day is growing in importance, especially given the findings of the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap Report; this report has identified that gender parity is over 200 years away. Now is the time for women around the world to stay motivated and #PressforProgress. Activism like #MeToo, #TimesUp have fuelled a strong global momentum that is striving for gender parity.

Townsville has many strong female role models holding senior leadership positions in this great city. I am very proud to be the first woman to hold the Seat of Herbert, which is a Federation Seat that was established in 1901. It has taken 115 years for a female to win this Seat. Labor currently has 44% female representation in the parliament and we have a goal of 50% by 2025.

Townsville is home to the JCU FIRE, who have just won their third Women’s National Basketball League Championship. The players are great role models for young women and they do a great job in our communities. We must not be complacent because now, more than ever, there’s a strong call to action to press forward and progress gender parity. Women around the world are sending a strong call to #PressforProgress. Women are sending a strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.

International Women’s Day is not country, group or organisation specific; this Day belongs to women of all ages regardless of culture, religion, sexual orientation or race. Together we have power, “united we stand divided we fall” an old but apt union saying. This is a day for all women to be tenacious in accelerating gender parity. Let us use the power of unity to “Press for Progress”.

Collective action and shared responsibility for driving gender parity is what makes International Women’s Day successful. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once said “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

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