International Women’s Day 2025

On International Women’s Day, we come together to celebrate the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit of women who have changed history, while also highlighting ongoing issues such as gender inequality and gender-based violence.

The United Nations’ theme for 2025 was “For all women and girls: Rights, equality, empowerment.”

With the IEU’s membership comprising 76 per cent women, the union is committed to fighting for gender equality and protecting and enhancing working rights for women.

The IEU joined rallies, marches and events in Sydney, Newcastle and Bathurst to commemorate International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March.

IEU members and friends at the International Women’s Day march in Sydney, Saturday 8 March.

Sydney

The IEU marched shoulder-to-shoulder with women from the union movement as well as sisters and brothers from the Burmese, Chilean and Iranian communites. When the march returned to Town Hall, chanting was replaced with solidarity songs sung by the Sydney Trade Union Choir.

A long-time activist for democracy in Myanmar, Debbie Stothard, gave a powerful speech highlighting the pivotal role women have played in the revolution in Myanmar since the February 2021 military coup.

“Last year, there were 2400 air strikes in Myanmar, more than all the air strikes of the previous three years combined,” Stothard said.

“In the crowd today are pictures of women medics, fighters, and peace builders, who have been brutally killed by the military. The military has begun forcibly conscripting young people, including women, forcing them to join the army. Yet, we are still winning because of the energy of young women, LGBTQ+ women, women with disability, city women, village women – all fighting, all resisting.”

IEU members join the International Women’s Day march in Newcastle, Sunday 9 March.

Newcastle

In Newcastle, a strong IEU contingent marched to an IWD-themed sea shanty with the chorus ‘hoo-ray and up she rises’ as women from the disability community led the rally through Hamilton.

Returning to Gregson Park, the clear skies darkened and the rain set in. Yet the crowd settled in to hear the speakers. Among the speakers was 10-year-old Anondo Ogni who spoke with passion about dreaming big and being treated equally.

“Being a girl means being strong, smart and kind,” she said. “It means lifting others up, chasing our dreams and never letting anyone tell us that we can’t do something. Together we can create a world where every girl has the chance to shine.”

Bathurst

The IEU attended the annual International Women’s Day dinner hosted by the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst. Guest speaker Dr Saranne Cooke spoke about the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

On International Women’s Day – and every day – the IEU supports its diverse membership as well as broader union and social justice efforts to deliver equity for women in salaries and conditions.