International Women’s Day (IWD) was marked on Friday 8 March. Federation encouraged workplaces to participate in International Women’s Day activities across the state. Federation celebrated by hosting a morning tea for staff and officers at Federation House. Gold coin donations and handmade IWD ribbons were sold to raise money for Union Aid Abroad APHEDA programs that support women.
Unions NSW hosted an International Women’s Day panel on 7 March titled “Ending violence against women in the workplace” and speakers discussed the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in the Workplace with representatives from Union NSW, the Maritime Union of Australia and the Electrical Trades Union.
Unions NSW coordinated the International Women’s Day March held on Saturday 9 March. The theme was “Join together, march together for women’s rights”. The march began at Hyde Park and ended at Belmore Park in Surry Hills. There were performances from the Asian Women at Work Drummers and One Billion Rising Dance group, the Trade Union Choir and Kurdish dancers. A moving welcome to country by Anne Weldon and Aunty Millie Ingram was followed by speakers Jade Child, Anna Hush and Prakiti Gouda. Federation was represented by members marching with our flags and wearing our favourite Federation campaign t-shirts.