This year sees a varied range of International Women’s Day (IWD) events organised across the Central West region to celebrate and contemplate the day and the 2020 theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights.”
Everything from morning teas and meditations to live music and guest speaker events have been organised to celebrate the day. There is something for everyone at one of the local towns or villages across the region.
We have collated a collection of just some of the #IWD2020 events that will be celebrated on Sunday 8 March this year in a list, below. If you’d like to know more about what might be happening in your Central West town, please check your local council or community centre’s websites. Also be sure to confirm the details at the website link provided. Some are free events some are paid.
Don’t forget to share your photos on social media to help show how Central West, NSW celebrated this important day. The 2020 IWD Hashtags are: #IWD2020 and #EachforEqual
Bathurst Regional Council will be hosting a FREE International Women’s Day Livestreaming of ‘All About Women’ event directly from the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 8 March. There will be three sessions: 11am, 12.15pm and 2.30pm. For further information contact Council’s Community Services Section t. 02 6333 6523 or website: https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/autumn/international-women-s-day.html
Cowra Civic Centre – will present ‘All About Women’ two sessions of the live satellite broadcast from Sydney Opera House for IWD on Sunday 8 March at 11am. Tickets $10pp. This event will be followed by a screening at 2pm of the Rachel Griffiths directed film ‘Ride Like A Girl’. To book tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/all-about-women-satellite-tickets-95119991455
Cowra Information & Neighbourhood Centre – CINC is hosting an Afternoon Tea and Meditation in the Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre at Ken Nakajima Place, $10pp prepaid tickets only.Sunday 8 March at 2pm. Book tickets here: https://events.visitcowra.com.au/?event=37760504
Forbes Shire Council is hosting an IWD Mindfulness Meditation and Breakfast at 7.30am at Lions Park on Sunday 8 March. $10pp. For more information, visit: http://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/council/events/international-womens-day-breakfast.aspx
Oberon Council will be hosting their IWD 2020 Mayoral Lunch event on Sunday 15 March at 12.30pm at the Robert Hooper Community Centre with guest speaker Jan Lanser. The lunch is FREE for Oberon residents. Bookings are essential. More details at: https://www.oberon.nsw.gov.au/international-womens-day-mayoral-lunch
Orange City Council will be hosting an IWD event on Sunday 8 March at the Orange Conservatorium from 12 noon–2pm with tea and coffee available from 11.30am. Billed as an afternoon of inspiration with guest speakers as well as music by the Orange Regional Conservatorium members, this FREE event is accessible, inclusive and celebrates awesome women everywhere. A light luncheon is included. More information can be found at: https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/event/international-womens-day-celebration-lunch/
Parkes QUE Club Inc. are hosting a lunch at Parkes Services Club, Sunday 8 March, 12 noon-4pm. $30pp. Enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, entertainment, a fashion show and a line up of three amazing guest speakers. Complete details: https://visitparkes.com.au/events/international-womens-day-lunch/
Some IWD History:
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on the 8 March each year. ‘UN Women Australia’ hosts some of the key IWD events in capital cities around Australia representing the United Nations Gender Equality agency.
As UN Women Australia explain at: https://unwomen.org.au/international-womens-day/about/: “International Women’s Day has become a time to reflect on progress, to call for change and to celebrate the courage and determination of the women who changed history, and those who will advance gender equality into the future. International Women’s Day is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change.”
In 1913, IWD was moved to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since. Australia’s first International Women’s Day was held in 1928 in Sydney. Organised by the ‘Militant Women’s Movement’, women called for equal pay for equal work, an 8 hour working day for shop girls and paid leave.
Over time Australian country towns and villages, rural and remote, have also joined in to celebrate the achievements of women within their own communities and to discuss and debate the gender and social equality issues that still face women within the workplace and society today.
For further information about International Women’s Day, here are some helpful links:
https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/nsw-womens-week