By Shelby Brooks
Cardinia women from all cultural backgrounds were honoured at a special International Women’s Day event on Wednesday 8 March.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Events centred around this year’s theme, ‘embracing equity’.
At Living Learning Pakenham, guest speakers shared their experiences about how they have overcome barriers to contribute to their community.
Abiola is a local Cardinia Shire resident and a board member of Plan International Australia, chair of United African Farm and Women of Colour Melbourne. She has more than 20 years of management experience. Abiola founded Leading Impact NOW. – a lived experience-centred management consulting firm with equity and inclusion at its core.
Abiola asked everyone to exhibit personal and collective action to see that women are supported, celebrated and elevated in the community.
“This is 2023. I don’t believe women don’t have the merit, credibility, skills, the confidence – if that is still in your head, please wash it off otherwise you will be left behind. Women have all it takes,” she said.
Wurundjeri/Dja Dja Wurrung educator and artist Samantha Richards paid tribute to her mother while sharing her history and culture with the attendees.
“We have a rich history, a lot of which we still practice today,” she said.
Samantha shared a women’s coming of age ceremony which was lost for 100 years and only rediscovered about six years ago.
“It’s something very special to us as a tribe and we conduct this ceremony every year,” she said.
“I think it’s so important to share culture and enjoy culture. We think about the people who lived on this land in the past and all the people who live on this land today and who will be there in the future.”
Local artist Che Pomare sang Scars to Your Beautiful and then helped lead the group in a rendition of I Am Woman by Helen Reddy.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Tammy Radford invited everyone to imagine a gender equal world without bias, stereotypes and discrimination.
“This is the kind of world we can create when we work together and embrace equity,” she said.
“Each of us can challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias and seek out inclusion.”
