Sydney’s Inner West Council is celebrating International Women’s Day on 8 March with a suite of programs, but says it is working towards real change on gender equity every day of the year.
The Inner West Council Gender Equity Strategy 2021 – 2025 outlines how Council is stepping up to play its part in ending gender-based violence by challenging gender stereotypes and power imbalances and advancing gender equity in the local community.
In a bid to foster gender equity, the Council has established a Women Leaders in Community Sport program that provides practical skills and confidence-building for current and emerging leaders.
The program aims to increase the participation of women administrators in local sporting clubs. The alumni will feed into an ongoing Women Leaders in Sport network, Council said in a statement.
Director Community, Ruth Callaghan said Council was working to create a safe, inclusive and equal Inner West, where everyone has access to equal power, resources and opportunities.
“As an executive we have more senior women on the Inner West executive than most councils,” said Ms Callaghan.
“It is fair to say that local government is still seen as a bit of a blokes’ world, but I’m really pleased to be working with a general manager and an executive team that has a number of really competent and energetic women.”
Ms Callaghan said gender equity is built into Council’s existing operational systems, recruitment, planning, policy and strategy work.
“As the child of a feminist I grew up understanding that for women education means choices and I’m always grateful to my parents for that. And it’s certainly something with my two male children I have passed on,” she said.
Inner West women can choose from a wide range of activities on Wednesday 8 March and throughout the month:
– International Women’s Day panel discussion – Australian Greek Women in Leadership as part of Library Speaker Series, Wednesday 8 March 6.30pm-7:30pm, Ashfield Town Hall;
– Free Yin Yoga Wednesday, 8 March 4pm-5pm, Ashfield Aquatic Centre;
– Free Dancing Pump class Wednesday, 8 March 11:30am-12:30pm. Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre;
– Women’s Cycling Tour, Thursday 9 March, 6:30pm-8:30pm;
– Marrickville South Community barbecue – 30 March, 3pm-5pm.
Inner West Library Film Club
– The Woman King Marrickville Library, 10am, 10 March;
– The Flood Leichhardt Library, 1pm, 14 March;
– The Eyes of Tammy Faye Balmain Library, 2pm, 24 March.
For full details of Inner West International Women’s Day activities go to: International Women’s Day in the Inner West.
