IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICE

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day is celebrated in Ballarat, and across the country, to raise awareness of the discrimination against women and to stimulate debate and policy on women’s lives and livelihood.

The Day is used to keep the message out there on the issues that effect women, to focus on the significance of education, to break down barriers and highlight achievements in careers and professions.

Observing International Women’s Day can take the form of attending various events, breakfast, lunch and dinners, host guest speakers and panellists delivering a range of messages and championing causes and programs designed to improve the roles of women in the community and society at large.

It can be a day of reflection, of purpose, of camaraderie, encouragement for students as well as enactment.

Balance for better – gender parity, the theme of this year’s celebration is about world equilibrium, the better the balance the better the world.

Like each year’s theme this is not just for that one day – Friday, 8 March.

It is a campaign theme designed to run all year long, to develop and gather momentum, to underpin decisions and ideas, and to constantly be referred to.

It is a premise that needs to be taken to the boardroom, to government elections, to sporting clubs to offices and business organisations and to the school playground.

It is a call to action which needs to be top priority when making choices.

Consider Balance for Better – gender parity when choosing speakers for a forum, who to vote for, the next board member, the president of the club, which job to apply for and any choice that effects your community, your country and the world.