International Women's Day
International Women’s Day is observed around the world each year on 8 March by people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.
It grew out of women’s struggle for better working conditions and the right to vote into a movement that sought equality and justice for all women.
More recently, it has become a time to celebrate change, to reflect on the progress that has been made, and to assert women’s political, social and economic rights.
The first acknowledged International Women’s Day was held in March 1911, after over 100 women from 17 countries unanimously decided to honour the women’s rights movement at the 1910 Second International Conference of Socialist Women in Copenhagen. Other countries followed in a similar fashion, by arranging events in February or March.
The first public event to take place in Australia was an International Women’s Day march. Held in Sydney, on 25 March 1928, the march featured a demand for equal pay. In 1929, rallies also took place in Sydney and Brisbane.
The women’s movement gained strengthened over time with International Women’s Day events spreading across Australia. International Women’s Day was first officially recognised by the Australian Government in 1974. The United Nations officially observed International Women’s Year in 1975. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 8 March to be United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. Since then, four global United Nations women’s conferences have been held, two of which were attended by a delegation of Northern Territory women.
Territory women have regularly celebrated International Women’s Day since 1976. Events vary across the regions and often include exhibitions, marches, social gatherings, public events, speakers, films, poetry readings, song and dance.
The colours of green, white and violet are often associated with the women’s movement. These colours were first used by the English Suffragettes and symbolised Giving Women the Vote. Green is said to represent hope, white purity and, violet justice.
International Women’s Day 2020
A number of International Women's Day activities are being held across the Northern Territory in 2020 - many which have been supported by the International Women's Day Grants Program.
View the calendar of events below for up to date information about International Women's Day events in your area, or download a copy PDF (660.1 KB).
Darwin
Date | Time | Event | Venue | Brought to you by (Organisation) | For more information/bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 2nd March | 10:00am – 11:30am | International Women’s Day Art Exhibition | Palmerston Library Goyder Square, The Blvd, Palmerston City | APM | Chelsea Palmer Phone: 0438 900 173 Email: Chelsea.Palmer@ndis.gov.au |
Tuesday 3rd March | 11:30am – 1:30pm | Cultural Celebration and Lunch | Palmerston Recreation Centre, 11 The Blvd, Palmerston City | Palmerston International Women's Day Collective | Yvonne Phone: 0427 035 633 |
Wednesday 4th March | 6:45am | Women’s Network NT International Women’s Day Breakfast | Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade Darwin 116 Esplanade, Darwin | Women’s Network NT | Celebrate International Women’s Day at a breakfast with Women’s Network NT. Guest speaker Hon Kezia Purick MLA, Speaker and Member for Goyder. MC Amy Heatherington Members $20, Non-Members $35 Includes hot breakfast, tea coffee, pastries. To book click on the link: |
Wednesday 4th March | 8:30am – 10:00am | Pancake Breakfast | Goyder Square, The Blvd, Palmerston City | Palmerston International Women's Day Collective | All welcome Rosalind Phone: 8935 9919 |
Wednesday 4th March | 10:00am – 12:00pm | Aboriginal Women’s Weaving Workshop | Palmerston Recreation Centre, 11 The Blvd, Palmerston City | Palmerston International Women's Day Collective | Bookings essential by calling Tich Phone: (08) 8944 9223 |
Thursday 5th March | 10:00am-11:00am | International Women’s Day Celebration morning tea for families at Manunda Terrace Primary School | Parent Room – Manunda Terrace Primary School, 31 Manunda Tce, Karama | Manunda Terrace Primary School | Sarah Porter (Community Engagement Officer) Email: sarah.porter@ntschools.net or Phone on (08) 8997 7366 |
Monday 2nd March to Sunday 8th March | Various | International Women’s Day Murals | Palmerston Recreation Centre & Palmerston Library, The Blvd, Palmerston City | Palmerston International Women's Day Collective | Take a look at the murals created for the International Women’s Street Artists’ Competition |
Monday 2nd March to Sunday 8th March | Various | Rydges IWD Promotion $30 Lunch special, tasting plate and beverage offered to women | Rydges Palmerston, 5 Maluka Dr, Palmerston City | Rydges Palmerston | Madame Za Phone: (08) 8983 6613 |
Friday 6th March | 6.30am - 8.30am | International Women’s Day Breakfast hosted by NTYL & NTWLA | The Ballroom | Hilton Hotel Darwin 32 Mitchell Street, Darwin | Northern Territory Young Lawyers and Northern Territory Women Lawyers Association | Tickets are $38. Enjoy a fabulous breakfast and a morning of excellent company and fulsome discussion, where we will join a panel of formidable guest speakers to discuss this year’s theme, #EachforEqual - including: Her Honour Judge Elisabeth Armitage (Moderator) Merran Short (Child Protection & Community Services | Solicitor for the NT) Lindy Morgan (Barrister | William Forster) Sophie Cleveland (Partner | Minter Ellison) Suzan Cox QC (Director | Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission) Please follow the link to purchase tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/international-womens-day-breakfast-jointly-hosted-by-ntyl-ntwla-tickets-93458877017?aff=ebdssbdestsearch |
Friday 6th March | 8:30am – 6:00pm | No Woman Left Behind Conference 2020 | Darwin Entertainment Centre 93 Mitchell Street, Darwin | ForrestPR/Territory community | Book tickets here: |
Friday 6th March | 4:30pm – 6:00pm | Hurdles – Northern Institute celebrates International Women’s Day | Mal Nairn Foyer, CDU Casuarina campus (Red 7), Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina | Northern Institute/Charles Darwin University | Hear stories from the following inspirational local women about the hurdles they’ve overcome to achieve equality: · Dr Donna Odegaard AM - Co-Chair of the National Indigenous Co-design Group and CEO of Aboriginal Broadcasting Australia · Sally Gearing – Legal Trailblazer and first female member of the Northern Territory Bar · Helen Summers – NT Local Hero nominee for Australian of the Year Awards 2020 · Special guest ‘Aussie Songbird’ Melanie Gray performing This year your gold coin entry goes the Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund (WWF - Australia) to care for wildlife injured in recent bushfires around Australia. Complimentary drinks and nibbles. Wear purple to show your support. All welcome #EachforEqual #IWD2020 |
Friday 6th March | 9:00am – 12:00pm | Women in Business Morning Tea Showcase | Aboriginal Bush Traders, 74 The Esplanade, Darwin, 0800 | Aboriginal Bush Traders | |
Friday 6th March | 10:00am – 12:00pm | International Women’s Day High Tea. A celebration to honour our foster and kinship carers. | Rydges Palmerston, | Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT | Bookings required via www.trybooking.com/BIGNU or Phone: 1300 030 928 or Email: info@fkca.org.au |
Friday 6th March | 5:30pm | Litchfield 2020 Art Exhibition Launch Hosted By Litchfield Women in Business | Whitewood Hall, 325 Whitewood Road, Howard Springs | Litchfield Council | Book your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/litchfield-council-art-exhibition-2020-launch-tickets-85209787769 |
Saturday 7th March | 8:30am – 12:00pm | International Women’s Day Walk | 8.30am Gather in the Civic Centre court yard (Harry Chan Ave, Darwin CBD) | United Nations Association of Australia NT & City of Darwin | Wear purple and bring your banners, hat and water bottle and come to join in the fun Susan, UNAANT on 0439 003 646 or Lynn, City of Darwin on 0417 883 319 |
Saturday 7th March | 10:00am – 1:00pm | Women’s Pride and Self-worth | Building Blue 2A, Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus Ellengowan Dr, Casuarina | United Muslims of the NT | RSVP: |
Saturday 7th March | 5:00pm – 6:00pm | International Women's Day (educating women about female genital mutilation) | 62 Paterson Road, Malak | Ogbako Ndi Igbo NT Australia [ONINTA] | Free Event |
Saturday 7th March | 5:00pm | International Women's Day- Family event Jumping Castle, Henna Painting on Hands and Islamic Women's Scarf Stall | Community Hall , Islamic Society of Darwin, 53, Vanderlin Drive (Entry Via Allwright street) | Islamic Society of Darwin | Open to Wider Community - RSVP required through email for Catering purposes: | |||
Sunday 8th March | 9:00am – 10:30am | International Women's Day - Youth Leadership Programme (Grades 8 to 12 and Uni students) | Community Hall , Islamic Society of Darwin, 53, Vanderlin Drive (Entry Via Allwright street) | Islamic Society of Darwin | Open to Wider Community - Registration Essential through email: | |||
Sunday 8th March | 9:00am – 11:00am | International Women’s Day Skate | Leanyer Skate Park 305 Vanderlin Dr, Malak | City of Darwin’s LAUNCH program | Get out and get down to the park for International Women's Day! | |||
Sunday 8th March | 11:30am – 2:30pm | International Women’s Day Luncheon with a twist | Harmony Hall, 44 Patterson Street, Malak | Cross-Cultural Association for Women and Families Incorporated | Limited seating. To book your seats contact Caron Email: ccawfinc@gmail.com or Phone: 0418 944 426 | |||
Sunday 8th March | 5:00pm – 6:00pm | International Women's Day Novelty Soccer Match | 62 Patterson Street, Malak | Ogbako Ndi Igbo NT Australia [ONINTA] | Free Event | |||
Monday 9th March | 10:00am – 12:00pm | International Women’s Day Our achievements our dreams | Melaleuca Refugee Centre, 24 McLachlan St, Darwin City | Melaleuca Refugee Centre | We want to say special thanks to multicultural women who have made or are making a difference. Please wear something purple. Morning tea will be provided. Free event Please RSVP by Friday 6th March Email: projectcoordinator@melaleuca.org.au or Phone: (08) 8985 3311 | |||
Monday 9th March | 5:45pm – 7:30pm | Embracing your feminine | KJS Entertainment 5/16 Malak Crescent Malak Shopping Centre | Renee Laylor | Come together with like-minded women, escape the pressures of daily life, and deep dive into this Spaces are limited. Book your tickets here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embracing-your-feminine-international-womens-day-event-tickets-96025913091 | |||
Tuesday 10th March | 11:00am – 2:00pm | DAIWS International Women’s Day Celebrating Indigenous Women of Influence | 94 Boulter Road, Berrimah Estate | DAIWS (Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter Inc) | Wear Purple to support Women’s Rights Recognising the contribution of Indigenous women of influence. Sharing career pathways and have a yarn. Regina Phone: (08) 8945 2588 | |||
Tuesday 10th March | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | TINATalks: #EachforEqual | Six Tanks 4/69 Mitchell St, Darwin City NT | YWCA Australia | Join us at our TINATalks event for drinks, nibbles and conversations exploring this year’s theme: Each for Equal. Our amazing speakers share what #EachforEqual means to them as young women. YWCA Australia is a leading national feminist organisation working towards a future where all women, young women and girls are equal, safe and respected. We advocate for women leading change, and fight for gender equality and women’s rights. https://www.ywca.org.au | |||
Thursday 12th March | 3:00pm -7:00pm | International Women’s Day Girls Night | YMCA Palmerston Youth Space 11 Palmerston Cct, Palmerston City | YMCA NT | Phone: (08) 8932 1096 | |||
Friday 13th March | 10:00am – 5:00pm 5:00pm – 7:00pm | Unconscious Bias Training and Networking Event | Oaks Elan 31 Woods St, Darwin City | Women in Resources | Booking site: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=601263& or email info@wir.org.au for more information | |||
Friday 13th March | 11:00am – 2:00pm | “Tidda’s” Morning Tea | Balunu Office 4/8 Totem Rd, Coconut Grove | Balunu Foundation Ltd. | Ray Ray Email: info@balunu.org.au Phone: (08) 89854400 or Mobile: 0497562319 | |||
Saturday 14th March | 10:00am – 12:00pm | International Women’s Day Lunch – Unions NT | ANMF NT Branch Office, 16 Caryota Court, Coconut Grove | Unions NT | Free Event for Union members with lunch provided. RSVP to: Chelsea Buhagiar 8924 4700 or chelsea.buhagiar@unitedworkers.org.au | |||
Saturday 14th March | 3:00pm | SLAFA International Women’s Day celebrations including Mothers vs Daughters cricket and Netball match followed by a BBQ | Nightcliff Primary School Cunjevoi Cres, Nightcliff | Sri Lankan Australian Friendship Association | Inoka Pinto, President, Sri Lankan Australian Friendship Association Mobile: 0431 427 403 Email: slafa-nt@outlook.com | |||
Saturday 14th March | 7:00pm - 10:00pm | International Women’s Day 2020 Celebration – Darwin Vietnamese Community | Vietnamese Community Centre 6 Earhart Court Marrara | Vietnamese Community in Australia – NT Chapter Incorporated | Phuong Le Email: phuong7186@gmail.com | |||
East Arnhem Region
Date | Time | Event | Venue | Brought to you by (Organisation) | For more information/bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday 8th March | 11:00am | Women’s Dress up Lunch | Galiwinku Rec Hall | East Arnhem Regional Council | |
Sunday 8th March | 11:00am | Women’s Day Community BBQ | Ramingining | East Arnhem Regional Council |
Katherine & Katherine Region
Date | Time | Event | Venue | Brought to you by (Organisation) | For more information/bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Friday 6th March | 10:30am | IWD Morning Tea and guest speakers | Multi resource centre, Pine Creek | Victoria Daly Regional Council | Jocelyn 8976 8201 |
Friday 6th March | 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Afternoon tea to celebrate women and their achievements in Ngukurr | Guluman Child and Family Centre | Ngukurr Community Education Centre School Council | Melissa Watters Mobile: 0414 742 348 |
Friday 6th March | 6:00pm | IWD Dinner and guest speakers | Lazy Lizard Tavern, 299 Millar Terrace, Pine Creek | Victoria Daly Regional Council | Jocelyn 8976 8201 |
Sunday 8th March | 10:00am – 11:00am | Community Brunch to celebrate International Women’s Day | Guluman Child and Family Centre | Ngukurr Community Education Centre School Council | Melissa Watters Phone: 0414 742 348 |
Sunday 8th March | 11:30am | Katherine Women’s Legal Service & Katherine Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation International Women’s Day Luncheon | Katherine Stolen Generations Reflection Garden at Katherine Museum 20 Christie Rd, Katherine | Katherine Women’s Legal Service & Katherine Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation | Please call Brooke Brenner Mobile: 0476 777 509 or Phone: (08) 8972 1712 |
Monday 9th March | 4:30pm - 6:30pm | International Women’s Day Girls Night | HSRC Lot, 2525 Stuart Hwy, Katherine | YMCA NT | 0428 471780 |
Tennant Creek & Tennant Creek Region
Date | Time | Event | Venue | Brought to you by (Organisation) | For more information/bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday 4th March | 9:30am | IWD Street March and Morning tea with Presentation | Starting point assemble in Peko Park | Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation Stronger Families Section | Contact Deb Cain 0459 336 517 |
Saturday 7th March | 10:00am – 3:00pm | Art and Photographic display and Exhibition | Tennant Creek Civic Hall, 49 Paterson Street | Jennifer Kitching | Jenny 0428 815 714 |
Sunday 8th March | 7:00am – 8:00am | Free Water Aerobics | Tennant Creek Swimming Pool, 10 Peko Rd, Tennant Creek | Pam Dillon |
Alice Springs & Alice Springs Region
Date | Time | Event | Venue | Brought to you by (Organisation) | For more information/bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thursday 5th March | From 5.30pm | International Women’s Day Law-N-Bowls | Alice Springs Golf Club | Northern Territory Young Lawyers and Northern Territory Women Lawyers Association | Join us for an evening of bowls and beers, followed by a Q & A panel discussion including their Honours Chief Judge Morris and Judge Huntingford to celebrate International Women’s Day 2020! #EachForEqual. Catch up with old friends or meet new ones! For more information: visit the NTYL facebook page. |
Thursday 5th March | 10:30am | Kungka Minyma Walytja Tjutangku Girls,Women, Family all together | Walungurru ( Kintore ) community, Basketball Courts | Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi | Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Association 89534488 |
Friday 6th March - ongoing | Throughout the day | Celebrating Centralian Women – A visual story | Various locations within the Todd Mall and the Alice Springs Public Library | Alice Springs Town Council | A photography story highlighting the achievements of Centralian women. |
Friday 6th March | 6:00pm – 9:00pm | Central Australian Women’s Fair – A Celebration of all Women in our great community | Civic Centre Lawns, Alice Springs Town Council, Alice Springs 93 Todd St, Alice Springs | A Collaborative Event, run by the Central Australian Women's Legal Service, Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia, the Tangentyere Women's Family Safety Group, Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council, Sexual Assault Referral Centre, The Women's Museum of Australia, Desert Knowledge Australia and the Women's Safety Services of Central Australia | https://www.facebook.com/events/753124708510207/ FREE Community Event Guest Speakers, Performers, Food & Trade Stalls, Jumping Castles, Face Painting and a movie screening (movie to be announced soon) The 'Central Australian Women’s Fair' will celebrate ALL Women in our community. The stories and experiences that our community hold is fascinating and something to be celebrated and acknowledged. The event will share various women's diversity/social/political/and economic life experiences and reflect on issues such as gender inequality. This Event is Proudly Sponsored by the Northern Territory Government. |
Saturday 07 March | 12:30 | Women’s Lunch | Women’s centre | Yuendumu Women’s Centre Aboriginal Corp | YWCAC 08 89564138 Cheryl 0429 695 314 |
Sunday 8th March | 12.30pm | International Women’s Day Lunch: “Women’s Health and Well-being: Invest in yourself” | Club Eastside 28 Undoolya Rd, Alice Springs | Federal Netball Club | https://federalsnetballclub.yapsody.com/event/index/528941/feds-iwd-luncheon |
Tuesday 10th March | 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Overcoming Adversity To Be Inspired – International Women’s Day Women in Leadership Luncheon | Olive Pink Botanic Garden Gallery Tuncks Rd, Alice Springs | Mental Health Association of Central Australia | To book your FREE tickets head here: https://events.humanitix.com.au/overcoming-adversity 08 89504600 nicole.pietsch@mhaca.org.au |
Nhulunbuy Region
Date | Time | Event | Venue | Brought to you by (Organisation) | For more information/bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday 8th March | 12:00pm | Women’s Day BBQ | Yirrkala | East Arnhem Regional Council | Peter Dunkley |
Last updated: 04 March 2020
Share this page: