International Women's Day 2009

International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March each year. It is a day to celebrate the contribution women have made across the world to their communities and the progress that has been made for equality. It is a time to raise awareness about the unjust treatment that many women and children around the world and in Australia are still facing.

Some of the opportunities within the school curriculum that students are involved in for International Women’s Day include:

• articles in school newsletters about the significant achievements of girls and women in their school community
• a morning or afternoon tea to celebrate International Women’s Day with staff, students, parents and community members
• the sale of UNIFEM purple ribbons to assist their fundraising efforts for the Pacific Markets project raising awareness of the purpose and history of International Women’s Day at school assemblies
• encouraging other students to become more aware of the inequality of educational opportunities for girls and women in other nations
• researching the achievements of significant Australian women
• inviting prominent females from the local community, including former students to provide an International Women’s Day address
• supporting fellow students to submit an entry in the UNIFEM Australia essay writing competition

The Director-General of Education and Training and Managing Director of TAFE NSW will also be hosting a group of students and teachers from NSW Public Schools and TAFE colleges at the International Women's' Day breakfast on Friday 6th March. At the breakfast, students will be able to share their own stories and great achievements with other students and guests and join in the celebration of International Women's Day.