Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March.
This year’s theme Balance the Scales is a promise that every woman and girl – regardless of background or identity – should be safe, heard, and free to shape their own lives.
Yet in 2026, too many across Australia and the world are still denied that fair go. Discriminatory laws, policies, and practices persist. Gender-based violence remains widespread, and structural barriers block too many women and girls from seeking or receiving justice.
These barriers are not inevitable. They are created and we all must have the courage to tear them down.
Equality is not about advantage for some; it's about dignity, safety, and fairness for all.
We spoke to three of our Youth Council members Jas, Julie, and Sefiyeh to hear their reflections on this year’s theme.
‘To me, changing the language we use and approaches we take towards women is so important to create equality. Women shouldn’t have to change the way they walk in this world to avoid the violence and misogyny against them. Accountability is extremely important to me, and I believe as a society we need to hold individuals to account. We can’t ‘let off’ a person for abuse in any way and must make sure warning signs aren’t dismissed, ignored, or swept under the rug.’
- Jas
‘When I think about Balance the Scales, I see how many women and girls here in Australia and across the world are still denied safety, justice, and the freedom to shape their own lives. I notice it in the news, in workplaces, and in the policies and systems that leave some voices unheard, or people unprotected. These barriers are built but can be dismantled. Challenging unfair practices, speaking up when inequality appears, and amplifying voices that are too often ignored are ways to tip the scales. Every action helps create a world where dignity, safety, and opportunity are realities for all.’
- Julia
‘It is a basic human right for women to voice their opinions and shape their own lives. Women make up more than half of the population, and when they are empowered, it strengthens not only individuals but the country’s economic and social wellbeing. No one should have to live in fear, and creating safe environments for women must be a priority. However, not all women experience equality in the same way. Women from diverse cultural backgrounds, and those facing multiple forms of disadvantage, are often placed at the bottom in terms of quality of life, privilege and mental health support.’
- Sefiyeh