International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) will celebrate International Women’s Day 2013 with a concert, “Half the Sky”, at the Melbourne Recital Centre on March 7th. We are honoured to announce that the keynote speaker will be IWDA’s Patron, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of Australia.
“IWDA continues to address inequality in all its forms by boosting men’s and women’s ability to address the complex relationships between poverty, power and participation. As an Australian icon of women’s leadership, the Governor-General exemplifies IWDA’s international engagement in supporting and advancing women’s rights in our region. We are proud to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day with our Patron,” says Joanna Hayter, Executive Director of IWDA.
The lineup of artists will include Clare Bowditch, Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier, Mahalia Barnes Duo, The Rebelles, and Em Rusciano. Indira Naidoo will MC the event. “IWDA works extraordinarily hard on behalf of women to improve their access to opportunities,” says Ms Naidoo. “It's an honour to be MCing such an uplifting celebration.”
Women leaders from IWDA’s partner organisations across Asia and the Pacific will join the celebration in person and through video messages, offering insights into their successes in addressing women’s rights and gender justice. Attending partners will include Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, Executive Director, fem’LINKPACIFIC in Fiji; Dr Alice Pollard, Executive Director, West ‘Are ‘Are Rokotanikeni Association in Solomon Islands; and Naomi Yupae, former Executive Director, Eastern Highlands Family Voice in Papua New Guinea.
All proceeds from the night will benefit IWDA and our regional partner organisations. IWDA is the only Australian development agency entirely focused on women’s rights and gender equality and works in partnership with women’s groups and through advocacy to create empowering and transformative change for women.
Interviews with IWDA Executive Director Joanna Hayter and women from IWDA’s partner organisations can be arranged. Please contact Kelly Smith-Holbourn via email at ksmithholbourn@iwda.org.au or by telephone on 03 9650 5574, or visit http://www.iwda.org.au for more information.
“Half the Sky” is proudly supported by ANZ.
International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) is the only Australian development organisation entirely focused on women’s rights and gender equality. IWDA’s vision is for a just, equitable and sustainable world where women have a powerful voice in economic, cultural, civil and political life. IWDA is secular, not-for-profit and works in partnership to create positive change across Asia and the Pacific.