THE HON. SCOTT MORRISON, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA AND THE HON. ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION HOST THE AUSTRALIAN LAUNCH OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.
UN Women Australia was delighted to see wide representation from Ministers, Parliamentarians, Departmental Secretaries, representatives of civil society and military leaders gather together for its annual Parliamentary Breakfast held at Parliament House this morning. The event marks the launch of International Women’s Day 2020 celebrations across Australia.
UN Women Australia has a long history of coordinating International Women’s Day across the country. Again in 2020, UN Women Australia will host official International Women’s Day events in many capital cities to highlight the achievements of women in our region.
The 2020 International Women’s Day theme is “Generation Equality” – a call to action to join forces across generations, to create a new vision where every girl and woman everywhere has equal opportunities to lead, to learn, to earn a decent living and to live lives free from violence and discrimination.
Prime Minister, The Hon. Scott Morrison at this morning’s breakfast highlighted the importance of this year’s theme and the vital contributions of the Australian Government in accelerating gender equality:
“Working together speaks directly to the Generation Equality theme for this year’s International Women’s Day…When both men and women are on equal footing as decision makers, when that happens it’s not just the individuals but whole communities benefit. Societies are more cohesive, respectful, cooperative and peaceful. Economies are more productive, diverse and lively. Prosperity is lifted.”
In his address, Leader of the Opposition, The Hon. Anthony Albanese also shared the importance of levelling the playing field for women and girls, “An equal society is a fairer society, it’s one in which people are treated with respect, where we maximize the capacity of the whole of society, not just half of it.”
UN Women works across our region and around the world to ensure that women and girls have the opportunity to earn a living without fear of violence and discrimination. The Markets for Change program working in key areas across the Pacific, ensuring markets are safer for women vendors, supporting livelihoods and women’s leadership; is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we work together.
“Education and employment are two cornerstones that build a foundation for equality. But they are near to impossible to deliver if communities, schools, workplaces or families aren’t safe. That’s why UN Women’s violence prevention work – across our region – with kind support from the Australian Aid program, is so vital,” said Executive Director of UN Women Australia, Janelle Weissman.