Women strive for political participation at IWD

Women in Australia and around the world celebrated the 100th annual International Women’s Day (IWD) on Tuesday.

Forces joined worldwide to recognise the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future and challenges that lie ahead.

This year’s theme “Female Leadership and Political Participations” focuses on increasing women’s voices in the political sphere and achieving equal pay.

Feminist and lead member of the IWD collective,  Anne Barber, said the group was aiming for “big change not small change”.

“The first IWD rally started in 1911 and one of the demands that they made at that time was equal pay and working conditions for women,” she said.

“Here we are 100 years on, we’re still talking about equal pay.”

The group helps organise the march, which is historically on the first weekend of March, but had to be changed to accommodate Mardi Gras.

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has focused this year’s attention on the issue of leadership and the political participation of women.

Julie McKay, Executive Director of UN Women Australia said: “It is imperative that we work together to ensure women are given the opportunity to be leaders within their communities.”

Minister for Status of Women, Kate Ellis, said women complete 70 per cent of unpaid work but make up 45 per cent of Australia’s workforce.

Ms Barber said in community sector work, such as aged care, women still get paid less than men.

She said women needed greater representation in the political sphere in order to achieve real change.

“Without the women candidates, we’re not going to get women politicians,” she said.

According to UN Women Australia, the 2010 Federal Election saw a decrease in the number of women holding seats in Parliament, with the figure now standing at 27.8 per cent.

But the NSW Greens said they were celebrating, with 51 per cent of its candidates contesting the state election being women.

Greens MP and spokesperson for women, Cate Faehrmann, said she was proud to be part of a party that supports women to be candidates.

“This continuing high proportion of female Greens candidates and elected representatives reflects the importance the Greens place on supporting and encouraging gender equality in all walks of life,” she said.

But the Women’s Electoral Lobby said the number of overall female candidates running in the election is inexcusably low.

Both major parties have female candidates in a fewer than a third of all seats for the imminent election.

IWD collective has organised a rally to demand equal pay for women this coming Saturday March 12.

Ms Barber said she was expecting at least a couple of thousand of people to turn out to support the cause.

You can voice your concerns and support women by marching from Town Hall to Martin Place at 12 midday this Saturday.

By Sophie Cousins