CDU celebrates International Women’s Day

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has marked International Women’s Day with events held across campuses to celebrate the official theme ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future’.

International Women’s Day is marked across the globe on March 8 and celebrates the courage and hard work of women in families, communities, and globally.

This year’s theme highlights the role that bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education can play in combatting discrimination and the marginalisation of women globally.

Staff and students at CDU’s Casuarina Campus celebrated the day with a panel session and Q and A’s with several of CDU’s leaders and students sharing their experiences and insights on what it’s going to take to ‘crack the code’ and reach a gender equal future.

Panel members included Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students, Sam Jacob, Manager First Nations Student Support, Barbara Baugh, Senior Lecturer Chemistry, Dr Vinuthaa Murthy, Senior Lecturer Environmental Science and Chair of the RIEL Gender Equity Committee, Dr Penny Wurm and Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science student and CDU Student Council President Hajrah Kamran. 

Panel Chair and CDU’s Director People and Culture, Peta Preo said International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the key role women play in society.

“International Women’s Day is an important day in CDU’s calendar. It was a real pleasure chairing the panel and listening to our panellists’ experiences and insights into how we can reach a gender equal future,” Ms Preo said.

“It is important to highlight and discuss the barriers that hold women back and recognise the progress that has been made but also the work still to do to reach gender equality across all areas of life, including employment.”     

The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce hosted an NT Women in Business event at the CDU Alice Springs campus to recognise International Women’s Day.

The Soiree saw around 20 local women from the Red Centre engage in a fun and interactive masterclass, themed by "Cracking the Code: Innovate and Create for a Gender Equal Future", which was presented by Alice Springs-based strategist, Belinda McCulloch.

CDU staff, students and their families also took part in the International Women’s Day walk which was held on Saturday March 4 in the Darwin CBD to celebrate the rights and achievements of women everywhere and promote innovation and change.

In addition to the above, on International Women’s Day CDU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with women’s rights organisation Maiti Nepal to support educational opportunities for women and children rescued from trafficking and exploitation.

For more information on International Women’s Day see here.