This year’s IWD theme calls for action For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Action that can unlock equal rights, power, and opportunities for all, and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Central to this vision is empowering the next generation – particularly young women, and adolescent girls – as catalysts for lasting change. UN Women is the UN organization delivering programmes, policies and standards that uphold women’s human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential, find out more about UN Women Australia. Events will be held around Australia, find out what is happening near you this March on the International Women’s Day events site.
2025 is a pivotal moment as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This document is the most progressive and widely endorsed blueprint for women’s and girls’ rights worldwide that transformed the women’s rights agenda in terms of legal protection, access to services, youth engagement, and change in social norms, stereotypes and ideas stuck in the past. The world cannot wait for another 30 years to fulfill the promise of gender equality. Today women stand stronger, more united, more diverse, and determined to become the first generation to achieve gender equality. Find out more about the recently published Australia’s International Gender Equality Strategy: For a safer, more prosperous Indo-Pacific and World (2025) which outlines how Australia is driving gender equality in our international engagement, deepening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, supporting women’s health, rights, safety, economic participation, and leadership.
Women in Australia can influence standards by participating on Standards Australia Technical Committees. ISO embraces gender equality not just as a moral imperative; it is essential for creating robust,effective, and relevant standards. Diverse perspectives lead to more innovative solutions, and when both men and women are equally represented, the standards are more likely to meet the needs of all users. Diversity and inclusion are key elements for the development of standards. They help create a world where everyone is represented regardless of race or gender. The Consumers’ Federation of Australia CFA Standards Project supports volunteer representatives to standards committees. By getting involved you can ensure products and services meet your expectations and address everyday problems — lending your experience, insights, and perspectives into how a standard will affect you and the people around you.
International Women’s Day is a day to recognise how far we’ve come towards gender equality, and how far we have left to go.