UN Women National Committee (NC) Australia is pleased to report that International Women’s Day (IWD) 2016 events and campaigns raised $425,000 for UN Women programs.
In March, over 8,000 people stepped forward to support the work of UN Women National Committee Australia. Funds raised at IWD 2016 will be donated to UN Women projects in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific.
Because of the incredible support from our partners and sponsors, event attendees, local event supporters and community fundraisers, UN Women can expand and support key programs working to deliver essential services to survivors of violence, and implement best-practice violence prevention programs – keeping women and children safe from harm.
Funds raised across all IWD events will support and strengthen:
- Shelters
- Counselling services
- Vocational training/education/support with career pathways to achieve financial independence and escape domestic violence
- Prevention and education programs to change attitudes and promote healthy, respectful relationships
Event highlights:
More than 8,000 people attended UN Women NC Australia’s IWD events in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
The theme for IWD 2016 was ‘Change her future’, focusing on the elimination of violence against women and girls. The theme provided a robust discussion at each of our events around what individuals, businesses, and governments can do to end violence against women and girls.
Distinguished panel guests spoke at each event, with discussions focused on what still needs to be done.
Over the course of our IWD campaign, UN Women NC Australia had the opportunity to reach families, workplaces and communities, challenging Australians to take steps towards achieving gender equality.
The week was kicked off by welcoming more than 120 guests at our sixth annual IWD Parliamentary breakfast, commanding the attention of Members of Parliament, Departmental Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries. The event was co-hosted by Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader the Hon Bill Shorten MP.
To view photos from UN Women National Committee Australia’s International Women’s Day events held around the country,
To view photos from UN Women National Committee Australia’s International Women’s Day events held around the country, click here.
If you would like to join our family of Empowerment Champions supporting UN Women projects by making a small contribution which makes a big difference each month, click here.
Partnering to support gender equality
UN Women NC Australia could not hold such successful events without the strong support of its partners and sponsors, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Aurizon, PwC and Esprit. View our full partner list here.
Since 2013, Esprit has generously supported UN Women each March, for International Women’s Day. This year was no different. As a result of Esprit’s kind donation of 20 percent of all sales on 4-5 March 2016 and proceeds from this year’s signature purple scarf, Esprit contributed an impressive $71,574.
UN Women National Committee Australia would like to thank everyone who celebrated International Women’s Day with us again in 2016. Together, we will create a brighter future for women and girls around the world.
