Equality requires persistence

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day has always been important, but somehow with all that’s happening in the world, it now seems to matter now more than ever.

Across the globe, we are seeing growing uncertainty, deep division and, in some places, a rolling back of hard-won rights for women and girls.

That is why the UN Australia International Women’s Day theme, “Balance the Scales”, is so important.

It highlights the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive and accessible justice for every woman and girl, regardless of background or identity.

However, too many women across Australia and around the world are still denied that equity.

According to UN Australia statistics, one in three women globally will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, yet most will never seek formal help or justice.

Here in Australia, conviction rates for sexual assault remain very low. Recent figures from New South Wales show only 11 per cent of cases result in a conviction.

That statistic tells us something important. Laws may exist to protect women, but too often the justice system still fails survivors.

First Nations women face especially complex challenges, including overrepresentation in the justice system and being 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence than non-Indigenous women.

These statistics are confronting, but they do not need to be this way.

The systems and structures that create inequality have been built over time and they can be fixed through leadership, courage and collective action.

Equality is not about advantage for some, it’s about dignity, safety and fairness for all.

Here in Greater Geelong, we are proud to mark International Women’s Day in a way that celebrates local leadership and recognises the work still to be done.

For 11 years, the City of Greater Geelong’s Women in Community Life Awards have recognised the contribution of women who have advanced gender equality across our region.

Since 2015, there have been 52 recipients and more than 200 women nominated for advancing gender equality in employment, disability advocacy, arts, volunteering and community leadership.

This year’s event, held at the Geelong Arts Centre, celebrated eleven years of impact and the collective influence of every nominee and award recipient.

I am continually inspired by the women in our region who lead with compassion, determination and a deep commitment to fairness.

That leadership was on full display throughout the week as our community came together for several powerful events.

I had the pleasure of hearing from author Kgshak Akec, who spoke at an event hosted by Soroptimist International Geelong.

Kgshak’s award-winning debut novel ‘Hopeless Kingdom’, explores themes of identity and belonging, drawing on her own migration experience.

I also had the pleasure of attending the Djilang First Nations Women’s Awards Event, celebrating the achievements of First Nations women and young women across the Geelong region.

I also attended the Committee for Geelong’s International Women’s Day Breakfast featuring journalist and author Leigh Sales.

Events like this remind us that progress depends on women’s voices being heard in media, business, politics and community life.

They also remind us that equality requires persistence.

It can be tempting to assume that progress will continue on its own. History tells us it will not.

International Women’s Day is a call to action for all of us, not just women, to challenge discriminatory attitudes, support survivor-centred systems and amplify marginalised voices.

In Greater Geelong, we will continue to back practical action through policy, partnerships and community leadership.

This International Women’s Day, I invite you to consider what “balancing the scales” might look like in your own life? Because gender equality is not a women’s issue, it’s a collective responsibility.

And when women and girls are safe, heard and empowered, our entire region is stronger for it.

Cr Elise Wilkinson

Connewarre Ward, City of Greater Geelong