Your chance to be part of International Women’s Day (WA)

Sharing the Caring: Your chance to be part of International Women’s Day Department for Communities Director General Susan Barrera has called on community groups to have a say on how they would like to see Western Australia celebrate International Women’s Day in 2009. Ms Barrera said a three-day event to be held from March 6 to 8 would celebrate the achievements of women, while highlighting the challenges they faced as the primary carers within our community. “The 2009 International Women’s Day theme of ‘Sharing the Caring for the Future’ will focus on the contribution of women in their caring roles, both paid and unpaid, exploring ways to share the responsibility for caring across our community,” Ms Barrera said. Community organisations, performers, artists and advocacy groups that would like to be part of the program can indicate through an on-line survey at www.communities.wa.gov.au what activity interests them, or to nominate their participation. International Women’s Day will include a community symposium on Friday March 6, followed by a public exhibition and community events on Saturday March 7. A free concert with an Indigenous theme will take place on Sunday March 8. A meeting and exhibition space will be available free for eligible not-for-profit groups at eCentral TAFE, Royal Street, East Perth. A nominal fee will apply to corporate and government agencies. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911, when more than one million European men and women rallied for women’s right to vote, work and hold public office. First recognised in WA in 1936, International Women’s Day received official status by the United Nations in 1975. The online survey is available at www.communities.wa.gov.au. For more information visit the website or email owp@communities.wa.gov.au