Jenny Mikakos calls for more women in leadership roles during IWD event

·

Darebin Council’s Cr Emily Dimitriadis hosted a very successful International Women’s Day event, with the Fairfield Bowls Club full despite the hot weather.

There were about 100 people present and a very large presence of Greek Australian women. 

IWD event
Women from culturally diverse backgrounds attended the event. Photo: Supplied.
IWD event
Education was revealed to be the one of the keys to achieving greater gender equality around the world. Photo: Supplied.

Former Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos spoke about the significance of the day and encouraged women, including migrant and refugee women, to be heard by decision-makers so they could have greater political influence.

In speaking about her own grandmothers who were denied an education, she emphasised that education was the key to achieving greater gender equality around the world. She encouraged women to support each other, to be positive role models and to mentor young people. 

IWD event
Many people participated in discussions on the day. Photo: Supplied.
IWD event
Many people attended the International Women’s Day event. Photo: Supplied.

Ms Mikakos also reflected on how Victoria was incredibly diverse with almost half its population having a parent born overseas, but that was not reflected in our parliamentarians, councillors, board members and CEOs.

A panel of speakers participated in the discussion and included the Chair of Safe + Equal, Maria Dimopoulos, Afghani football player Mursal Sadat, author and entrepreneur, Hana Assafiri and VMC Commissioner, Dr Judy Tang. 

More than $1,000 was also raised on the day for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Eleni Elefterias on music, Greek language, and her journey to writing

Growing up, Eleni Elefterias wasn’t the biggest fan of learning Greek - she was forced to speak Greek at home and she hated going to Greek school.

A Greek in Rio & Brasil: From being a Grego to a Bulldogs training session

Billy Cotsis embarks on the journey of a lifetime to Rio de Janeiro, where he is pleasantly surprised by the strong Greek culture that exists there.

Cyprus’ cultural heritage is not for sale

For centuries, ancient artefacts, art, and relics have been a topic of ownership, provenance, and morality debates.