Celebrate International Women’s Day 2024: Count Her In
This International Women’s Day, celebrated on Friday 8 March, Deakin affirms our commitment to continue to work towards women’s economic empowerment through fostering equal opportunities for women to learn, earn and lead. When women are given equal opportunities, our University and the wider community thrive.
Gender inequality represents a missed opportunity of our nation’s investment in the education of women and girls. According to 2021 census data, female university graduates now outnumber male university graduates in every age group below 70. It is estimated that the Australian economy would gain $8 billion if women transitioned from tertiary education into the workforce at the same rate as men (see Victorian Government, The Benefits of Gender Equality).
We can see firsthand how empowerment and investment by Deakin through the team at Deakin’s Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education (CREATE) has changed the lives of female identifying students. Hear Fatima’s story in her own words of how she was supported to reclaim her future.
Interested in learning more about scholarships?
Deakin has a range of scholarships for both new and continuing undergraduate and postgraduate students. The first step is to search our Find a scholarship tool, which lists all the currently open or soon-to-open scholarships. Use the search filter to help find scholarships you may be eligible for.
Get involved in International Women’s Day
At Deakin
Deakin Women’s Collective Burwood – will have a stall at DUSA Beats & Eats in Burwood on Wednesday 6 March along Morgans Walk from 11.30am–2pm. There will be a food offering and more information about the Deakin Women’s Collective Burwood.
Deakin Geelong Women’s Collective – will have a stall at DUSA Beats & Eats on Monday 4 March at Waterfront (John Hay Courtyard) and Tuesday 5 March at Waurn Ponds (Union Green) from 11.30am–1.30pm. There will be a food offering and more information about the Deakin Geelong Women’s Collective.
Deakin Ecological Collective ‘Women of the Earth’ Panel event (Waurn Ponds Campus) –
on Friday 8 March from 12–1pm, a ‘Women of the Earth’ panel will honour the remarkable achievements of women in the environmental realm and explore their pioneering efforts in paving the path for future generations of women. Register now
Respect Belong Thrive Podcast – Women in Science with Zoe Brittain and Brooke Jensen. Zoe and Brooke are STEM students and In2Science mentors at Deakin, and this episode delves into their journeys as STEM mentors and discusses the importance of strong female role models in STEM fields. Listen now
In the wider community
Online event – Wifedom: Exposing the workings of patriarchy
On Friday 8 March from 10–11.30am, Join Anna Funder, award-winning writer and author of Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life, as she unpacks how the patriarchy continues to maintain the status quo – using the extraordinary lives of Eileen O’Shaughnessy and George Orwell to show it in microcosm.
The event will also feature a panel discussion with A/Prof Ramona Vijeyarasa and Prof Peter Siminski, where our speakers will share insights and expertise on how we can move towards more equitable models.
While this event takes place in Sydney, tickets to watch the live stream are free. Register now
Melbourne events
- International Women’s Day events at Queen Victoria Women’s Centre:
- 4 March at 11am: Invest in Women – Makes Economic Sense Panel Talk
- 6 March at 5.30pm: Banner Making Workshop
- 7 March at 5.30pm: IWD Rally
- 9 March at 12pm: Paint Your Feminist Icon Workshop with Camila Paz
- City of Boroondara:
- 8 March at 7.30am: International Women’s Day Breakfast (free)
Geelong events
- International Women’s Day Breakfast (keynote speaker Jelena Dokic)
- 8 March at 7am: Purchase ticket
- Geelong City Council: Women in Community Life Awards
- 8 March: Learn more