International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
IWD is a UN initiative, and is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.
As one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive universities, the University of Melbourne is committed to supporting the ongoing progression of women across all disciplines and centring their achievements as just one way to promote equality.
Read some of the inspiring University of Melbourne research stories by and about women.
University of Melbourne women researchers are doing some amazing things in amazing places, including Antartica! And we're working to improve living and working conditions for women.
Animal scientist Dr Kristy DiGiacomo switched goats for penguins when she travelled to Antarctica as part of a global women in STEMM leadership program.
From Pursuit.
The latest HILDA survey shows Australia’s gender gap in employment continuing to close, with progress beginning on the earnings gap. From The Conversation.
New research finds that AI doesn’t just discriminate against women in the workforce – but also has a problem with parents.
From Pursuit.
Engineering needs more diversity, but there are almost no role models for women engineers in popular culture. From Pursuit.
The Matildas playing at home in the Women’s World Cup is a unique opportunity to get children – particularly girls – into sport. From Pursuit.
A single dose of the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) provides years of protection from cancer and simpler vaccination programs. From Pursuit.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities are working with researchers to create safe and sacred places for babies and families in the first 2000 days of life. From Pursuit.
One woman having a perimenopausal hot flush on live TV has started a national conversation about normalising the symptoms. From Pursuit.
A comprehensive re-evaluation of how society prepares for, supports, and empowers women as they experience menopause has been advocated for in a series published in The Lancet. The research was led by Professor Martha Hickey from MDHS. From University of Melbourne Newsroom.
Research led by the Faculty of Education in partnership with SNA Toolbox, has highlighted the crucial role that schools can play in prevention efforts aimed at reducing these alarming statistics. From the Faculty of Education.
While essential for farming high-volume crops, nitrogen-based fertilizers create environmental harms. A new research project in Laos investigates ways of limiting nitrogen pollution without sacrificing crop yields. From Research.
Explore an IWD 2024 event
There are several opportunities to join University celebrations of International Women's Day either in person or online at any of our events. Explore and register below.
Tuesday 5 March 8.00 – 9.15am. The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) presents an IWD breakfast at the Melbourne Law School (In person preferred but online available) for attendees to hear from a new generation of researchers on violence against women.
Tuesday 5 March at 5.30pm online and in person in Shepparton at the Department of Rural Health. Clare will share insights into her career journey, reflecting on her time through medical and clinical schools to roles in environmental health, infectious disease epidemiology and public health medicine.
Wednesday 6 March at 9.30 – 11.15 am. Melbourne School of Health Sciences presents an in-person presentation and panel discussion at Melbourne Connect led by leading author, educator, podcaster, TEDx speaker, and parenting counsellor Lael Stone.
Thursday 7 March at 5.30 – 7.30 pm. MDHS presents the Priscilla Kinkaid-Smith Oration 2024 at the Old Quad, to be given by Professor Martha Hickey on Empowering Women to Manage Menopause.
Friday 8 March at 7.30 – 9 am. University House will host its annual International Women’s Day breakfast with a panel of Professor Lesley Stirling, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Dr Kylie O’Connell, Executive Director, Workforce Strategy and Planning (Chancellery) and Professor Margreta Kuijper, Electrical and Electronic Engineering discussing accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment.
Friday 8 March at 9.45 am – 12 pm. The Melbourne Law School presents a seminar chaired by Professor Ann Genovese (Melbourne Law School) with presentations by Johanna Commins (Melbourne Law School), Dr Elena Caruso (University of Waterloo, Canada), and Dr Erica Millar (La Trobe University).
Friday 8 March at 12.45pm. UniSuper presents an online event featuring Head of Women’s Football for Football Australia, and former Matilda Sarah Walsh. Sarah will talk about building a brand of women’s empowerment through the Matildas, the impact and legacy of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and the financial challenges of making a career in sport for women.
Discover programs to support women's progress at the University of Melbourne
From women in STEM to women in the halls of power, the University actively supports women's career and personal ambitions.
Current University of Melbourne staff can view other resources supporting women's advancement at the staff diversity and inclusion site. (Login required).