International Women's Day

March 12, 2026

March 8 each year is International Women's Day, and this year Oberon celebrated with an afternoon tea instead of the traditional formal dinner. The formal part of the day was panel discussion with authors Natalia Figueroa Barroso, Winnie Dunn and Dr Bee Lim chaired by Mirela Cufurovic. The participants talked about the status of women today, what it should be and how society can move towards reaching that goal.

After the panel discussion, Deputy Mayor Katie Graham gave a short talk about the significance of the day and then the crowd descended on the excellent food provided by The Long Arm Cafe.

Deputy Mayor Graham's speech:

Firstly l would like to thank the authors (Natalia Figueroa Barroso, Winnie Dunn and Dr Bee Lim) who have come to talk to us today about their writing and experiences which I am sure we have all found fascinating. A special thanks also to Mirela Cufurovic for facilitating the discussion today. And of course a thanks to our special guests, Andrew Gee, Paul Toole and our local Mayor Andrew McKibbin for attending this important event. Thanks also to Sharon Swannell and her band of Helpers for the organisation. l hope you have all enjoyed celebrating International Women's Day in a different format than in previous years and thank you all for coming.

I have been asked to tell you a bit about International Women's Day and why it is important in Australia and our community here in Oberon. The Official UN Women Australia theme for 2026 is "Balance the Scales", focusing on fair, inclusive and accessible justice for every woman and girls. It is a promise that every woman and girl - regardless of background or identity - should be safe, heard and free to shape their own lives. Yet in 2026, too many across Australia and the world are still denied that fair go.

Discriminatory laws, policies, and practices persist. Gender-based violence remains widespread, and structural barriers block too many from seeking or receiving justice.

These barriers are not inevitable. They are built - and they can be dismantled.

Equality is not about advantage for some. It's about dignity, safety, and fairness for all.

People in Australia continue to campaign for gender equality and have achieved significant outcomes in recent years. But according to the Australian Human Rights Commission, 1 in 3 Australians hold a negative bias about women's ability to participate fully economically, politically or in education.

Interestingly, Australia is ranked 24th in the world in terms of gender equality.

A thought to leave you with - the purple ribbon you are wearing today symbolises justice and dignity.Iit's a form of peaceful protest, appreciation, and education. So wear the purple ribbon with pride to show the world you stand for an equal future.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to get to a time when a special day devoted to the problems women face in society wouldn't be needed because all those problems were in the past? You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.