In Yarra Ranges and around the world – International Women’s Day will be celebrated on Saturday, 8 March. This important day, held on the same date each year, honours the achievements and contributions of women and girls, while also acknowledging the challenges they continue to face.
It’s a day to promote gender equality, celebrate progress, and reflect on the ongoing work needed to ensure a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
‘March Forward’ is the official theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 – commemorating 30 years since the United Nation’s Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for achieving gender equality.
This meaningful theme reminds us that progress is not just about reflection but taking decisive, planned steps to turn our goals into action today. It is time to highlight all of the issues and move forward, so there really can be an equal future for all women and girls.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child shared the following message: “I am proud to say at Council that we are committed to promoting gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and community,” Cr Child said.
“Our vision is clear: Yarra Ranges is gender equitable, inclusive, and diverse. Women, men, and gender-diverse people have equitable access to resources, power, and opportunities. We are brave and fierce in our pursuit of gender equality and human rights, and we all have a role to play.
We demand this for ourselves and our community.
“Council plays a crucial role in influencing change through our programs, services, and spaces, setting behavioural and cultural standards, and working to change systems and structures in our workplace that contribute to inequality. Our commitment is outlined in our Council Plan, the Gender Equality Action Plan, and our Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
Council, in partnership with Inspiro invites you to enjoy an exclusive screening of the Trailblazers and the launch of the Sport for All Toolkit. This is a Free event, open to people of all genders.
Places are limited, registration is required, and light Refreshments provided:
Date: Thursday 6 March 2025
Time: 1pm – 3.30pm
Venue: Box Hill Institute, Aunty Dot Peters Auditorium,
1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale
For more information and registration see www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1353511 or call 1300 368 300 today.
The event will include the launch of the Sport for All Gender Inclusive Toolkit, a practical self-assessment to help local sporting clubs and active recreation settings, to identify their strengths as well as areas for improvement, in creating safe, accessible and welcoming environments for women and girls, transgender and gender diverse people.
Sport for All Gender Inclusive Toolkit includes the self-assessment audit tool, snapshot survey and action plan template and can be found online as free resource for relevant organisations by visiting https://inspiro.org.au/services/community/health-promotion/sport-for-all/.
Sport is a highly visible and valued feature of Victorian culture and identity, and provides many opportunities to enrich communities through supporting good physical and mental health and promoting respect and fairness for all people.
“Achieving gender equality is not just a women’s issue; it’s a community issue that benefits us all. Let’s break down barriers and build a community where everyone has the opportunity to lead, succeed, and thrive,” Cr Child said.
