History was made this weekend as the first ever International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration jointly hosted by 18 Greek and Cypriot women’s organisations took place in Melbourne under the leadership of the Pan Hellenic Women’s Federation of Australia (PHWFA).
Close to 300 attendees gathered to celebrate women’s achievements, community leadership, and the global theme of International Women’s Day, “Give to Gain – When we give, we gain.” The event marked an unprecedented moment of unity, bringing together women, community leaders, and organisations from across Victoria to honour the contributions, resilience, and strength of Greek and Cypriot women.
Founder of the PHWFA, Georgina Papafotiou, described the event as a historic milestone for the Hellenic and Cypriot communities in Australia.
“This event is historic. Never before in Australia have so many Greek and Cypriot organisations come together to celebrate and recognise women in such a unified and meaningful way,” Ms Papafotiou said.
“It is the result of collaboration, determination, and a shared vision to empower women across generations. We have received overwhelming support from organisations, leaders, and individuals across Victoria.
“This energy shows that when we unite, we can achieve extraordinary things for our communities. This is only the beginning – a platform has been created for all Greek and Cypriot women to be seen, heard, and supported.”
The celebration highlighted the Federation’s mission to unite Greek and Cypriot women at local, State, and National levels, showcasing the importance of collaboration, advocacy, and empowerment across generations. It also demonstrated the Federation’s role in statewide support, connecting women and organisations across Victoria to share knowledge, opportunities, and resources.
Overwhelming support was received from many across Victoria, including presidents, committees, and members of the 18 participating organisations, many of whom dedicated countless hours to ensure the success of the event.
“We are deeply grateful to the incredible women on the organising committees who committed so much of their time and energy to make this historic event possible,” Ms Papafotiou said.
Special acknowledgement was also given to Agapi Pashos, Secretary of the Greek Democritus Workers League, whose dedication and support contributed significantly to the smooth running of the event.
The audience was privileged to hear presentations from two distinguished guest speakers.
Liana Papoutsis, a Melbourne-based ACA counsellor, lecturer, and speaker specialising in Family Violence, coercive control, and trauma recovery, delivered a powerful address that brought clarity about safety, resilience, and rebuilding after harm. Her presentation provided practical insights and inspiration, empowering individuals to recognise their strength and navigate life after trauma.
Vicky Papazoglou presented an inspiring reflection on the story of Waris Dirie, a Somali woman who survived female genital mutilation and became a global advocate for women’s rights. She then shared the story of Franca Viola, the Italian woman whose courageous refusal to accept a forced marriage after assault helped change laws and societal attitudes toward women’s rights.
Their presentations sparked thoughtful discussion, highlighting courage, resilience, and the transformative power of advocacy for women everywhere.
The event was attended by many distinguished current and former leaders from the Greek and Cypriot communities, including Presidents of organisations, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Mayors, Councillors, and other community leaders, further underlining the historic significance of this celebration.
The event was strengthened by remarks from four respected community Presidents, who expressed their strong support for the initiative, including Bill Papastergiadis, Arthur Salahas, Kyrie Herekakis, and Sotirios Stylianou.
Adding vibrancy and celebration, exceptional performers generously volunteered their time to entertain and inspire attendees, including Anthea Sidiropoulos, Harmony Choir, Anastasios Theophanous, and NICO Entertainment DJs – Kosta & Thomas. Their performances created a lively, uplifting atmosphere for all attendees.
The organisers expressed sincere gratitude to the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria for generously providing the venue at no cost, reflecting strong local support for this historic initiative.
Sponsors were warmly acknowledged for their generosity and commitment to supporting women and community initiatives, which were vital to the event’s success.
The PHWFA was established to unite organisations, foster networks of support, and ensure that women of all backgrounds, experiences, and generations are represented and heard.
This initiative is ongoing and marks the beginning of an important journey. A Board representing the Federation in Victoria will be elected within the next six months, and plans are already underway to expand the Federation to other States across Australia over the coming years.
The Federation also welcomes additional organisations to join this growing network of collaboration, advocacy, and support.
“This is only the beginning,” Ms Papafotiou said. “With the continued support of our organisations, leaders, and communities across Victoria, we look forward to building a strong Federation that represents and supports Greek and Cypriot women throughout Australia. Together, we are creating a legacy — a platform that will empower women for generations to come.”
Organisations interested in becoming involved or learning more about the Federation are encouraged to make contact: Georgina Papafotiou: 0435 119 894 or Agapi Pashos: 0458 936 634
The success of the inaugural International Women’s Day celebration marks the start of a new chapter of collaboration, unity, and empowerment, and will be remembered as a historic milestone for Greek and Cypriot women in Australia.
