The ACT Education Directorate is to mark International Women’s Day tomorrow (8 March) with a special event for Years 9 to 12 students based on the day’s 2019 theme, Balance for Better.
In a statement, the Directorate said the International Women’s Day website spelt out the importance of gender balance.
It said balance wasn’t a women’s issue, it’s a business issue.
“The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced Government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, gender-balanced sports coverage,” it said.
“Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.”
The Directorate said students would hear from a range of keynote speakers, join in focus group activities and contribute to a panel discussion around issues raised throughout the day.
One of the panellists is the Manager of Digital Engagement at the Museum of Australian Democracy, Sarah Mason.
Ms Mason has interests across the film, literature and business sectors.
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to consciously and deeply consider the manner in which women are relating to the world,” Ms Mason said.
“It’s a day to be grateful for the ways women make powerful and positive change, and it’s a time for recognition of those areas where there is much still to change,” she said.
“The day calls for a collective energy to address these challenges on an ongoing basis and it’s exciting to be part of that.”
The Directorate said role models, teachers, parents and care-givers could use International Women’s Day as an important opportunity to educate and inspire children about the role of women in society.
