Australia’s Political Leaders Join UN Women Australia to ‘Count Her In’ Ahead of International Women’s Day

In a powerful display of solidarity and commitment to gender equality, Australian government, political, and defense force leaders convened at Parliament House ahead of International Women’s Day to officially kick off the Australian celebrations. The event, co-hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton, marked a significant moment in the ongoing global pursuit of women's rights and empowerment.

Prime Minister Albanese urged men to step up and play a pivotal role in ending Australia’s epidemic of violence against women. "This is not a problem that women should have to solve," he emphasized, highlighting the collective responsibility that society bears in addressing such pressing issues.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024, 'Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.', underscores the imperative to prioritize economic inclusion and investment in order to drive meaningful progress for women and girls worldwide. This resonates deeply with the United Nations' 68th Commission on the Status of Women, which places a spotlight on pathways to greater economic empowerment for women.

Throughout the event, leaders and decision-makers reiterated the importance of International Women’s Day as a catalyst for change. Minister for Foreign Affairs stressed the significance of fostering environments where women can thrive economically, socially, and politically.

"Men have to be prepared to take responsibility for our actions and our attitudes," Prime Minister Albanese declared passionately. "To educate our sons, to talk to our mates. To drive real change in the culture of our sporting clubs, our faith and community groups, and our workplaces – including this workplace."

The collective resolve to address gender inequality was palpable, with a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure that every woman and girl has the opportunity to fulfill her potential.

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, 8 March 2024. For more information and to secure tickets, please visit iwd.net.au

Read the original article on UN Women Australia.