Working towards a gender equal world

As we celebrate International Women’s Day it is important to understand the 2020 theme and work towards its goals.

Intereach, which is a major community service provider across southern NSW, northern and central Victoria and the Mallee region, advocates for a more inclusive, gender equal world.

With International Women’s Day celebrated on Sunday March 8, Intereach chair Pat Fogarty said it was an appropriate time to reflect of the day’s theme of ‘Each for Equal’.

She echoed the messages which have been delivered across the globe on this special day when the benefits of gender equality are highlighted.

“I read some of these messages and they resonated with me,” Pat said.

“They explained to us that an equal world is an enabled world and that individually we are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions, all day every day. That we can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements, and that collectively each one of us can help create a gender equal world.”

Pat Fogarty has been a community leader in the Riverina, in particular her home town of Deniliquin where she is presently Deputy Mayor, and has previously been Mayor.

The International Women’s Day theme of ‘Each for Equal’ is part of a campaign that will run throughout the year, providing a unified direction to guide and galvanise continuous collective action.

Intereach CEO Keryn Fox explained how gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

She supports the IWD campaign which seeks gender equality in workplaces, government, the boardroom, media coverage, sports coverage and health and wellbeing.

“While it is important to talk openly about these goals it is even more important that we make it happen,” Keryn said.

“At Intereach we have a genuine focus on gender equality and it has helped achieve the massive growth the organisation has experienced over a number of years.

“Across our management team we have nearly 30 female managers and across all staffing levels we have a strong female workforce. Our Board of Directors also provides a gender balance that makes it representative of our community,” she said.

At International Women’s Day they call it ‘collective individualism’ where we are all parts of a whole. Our individual actions, conversations, behaviours and mindsets can have an impact on our larger society.