Tarana Burke and Alyssa Milano Announced as Exclusive Headline Presentation for International Women’s Day Australia
UN Women Australia is delighted to announce that the official 2023 International Women’s Day events will feature an exclusive headline presentation from the ‘me too.’ movement activists Tarana Burke and Alyssa Milano.
This exclusive segment will feature an in-depth interview with Tarana Burke, founder of the ‘me too.’ movement and Australian Walkley Award winning journalist, and activist in her own right, Tracey Spicer.
Alyssa Milano, fearless activist, Hollywood actor and producer will deliver a personal presentation to introduce this powerful segment, streamed into the room of five Australian International Women’s Day events and online via the live virtual hub.
In 2017, the world was captivated by the ‘me too.’ movement as these women harnessed the power of digital innovation to spearhead cultural change and shift societal norms, forever changing the fight for gender equality and women’s rights.
UN Women Australia CEO Simone Clarke said that this is set to be a powerful presentation, one not to be missed by Australian audiences.
“When we talk about cracking the code to gender equality, there really hasn’t been a cause as powerful or culturally shaping as the ‘me too.’ movement. We are thrilled and honoured to welcome two change agents that have shaped the way women are viewed around the world. To also have Tracey Spicer personally interview Tarana Burke is certain to make for compelling viewing, given their shared passion for equality,” said Ms Clarke.
In 2019, Tarana Burke and Australian Journalist Tracey Spicer AM accepted the Sydney Peace Prize, on behalf of the ‘me too’ movement. Spicer has also just finished writing a book about coded bias in artificial intelligence, which is perpetuating gender and racial stereotypes.
“We have come a long way in the fight for equity, but there’s still an awfully long way to go,” Spicer says. “I commend UN Women Australia for platforming the outstanding work of Tarana Burke and Alyssa Milano, who are powerful global advocates and activists.”
The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future’.
Based on the United Nations 67th Commission on the Status of Women priority theme – Cracking the Code highlights the role that bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education can play in accelerating gender equality.
The 2023 IWD events will explore how innovation, inclusion and education have the power to disrupt “business as usual” and crack the code to a gender equal future.
UN Women Australia has also unveiled an inspiring line up of local speakers for the events – activists, innovators, technologists and entrepreneurs who are #CrackingTheCode and breaking down barriers every day.
- Mikaela Jade, founder and CEO of tech company Indigital – Australia’s first Indigenous edu-tech company specialising in AR (Canberra)
- Jackie Lee-Joe, Digital Disruptor with over 20 years’ experience across media, tech, telco, aviation and financial services with brands such as Netflix, BBC, Skype, Virgin, Orange and Afterpay (Sydney)
- Dr Catherine Ball, scientific futurist, advisor, author and founder working globally across a wide range of projects from creating documentaries and world leading events, to advising on the use of drones across environmental and humanitarian projects (Melbourne)
- Sarah Moran, CEO and co-founder of Girl Geek Academy, a movement to bring one million women and girls into technology careers by 2030 (Brisbane)
- Grace Forrest, Founding Director of Walk Free and youngest ever UNAA Goodwill Ambassador for Anti-Slavery (Perth)
- Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women, will provide a national address from Canberra
Click here for more detailed information on our speakers and their biographies.
UN Women Australia will be holding IWD events in, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, as well as a live virtual stream of all events on Friday, 3 March 2023. To purchase tickets and find out more about our IWD events visit unwomen.org.au.
Join UN Women Australia on International Women’s Day 2023, to show your support for women everywhere!
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Media Enquiries:
Jessica Mitchell
UN Women Australia
0422 304 827
[email protected]
