On Friday,  March 8, women and men around the world will come together to champion women’s achievements and challenge gender bias.

In Katherine, there are too many events to fit on the one day, and so have been spread across three. 

"International Women's Day is about the solidarity of women across the world on the same day," event organiser Toni Tapp Coutts said. 

The bridge walk, Womens banners, and film commences 5.30pm on Saturday, March 9 at Ryan Park.

"Katherine has always had some sort of celebration, but this year we have tried to come back to the original theme of raising awareness about inequalities across the world." 

From a business luncheon, movie sessions, professional development and marches to music and mentoring sessions there's a mountain of things to do across three days. 

This year's theme ‘Better the Balance, Better the World’ is a call to action for gender balance across the board.

One such Katherine event is raising awareness about the contributions women make by gathering 12 professionals of all cultures and showcasing their achievements. 

"'Smashing The Glass Ceiling’ showcases professional women in Katherine who lead major organisations with responsibilities for multi-million-dollar budgets and the employment of hundreds of employees, delivering a range of vital services across the vast Katherine region," Mrs Tapp Coutts said. 

"They are the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunties, wives, volunteers, cooks and cleaners all the while carrying out their day jobs and managing programs that deliver major infrastructure, health and educational programs to the Katherine area.

"In 2018 the Victorian Government quantified the unpaid work women do in Victoria at $205 billion.

"The women featured in ‘Smashing The Glass Ceiling’ have not only achieved climbing to the top of their professional lives but have done so while educating themselves and taking the opportunities as they arise, while raising a family, caring for elders and extended family members and as community volunteers supporting many sports, social and cultural organisations.

"The women of Katherine continue to enrich the community for the benefit of all.

"These women are all truly inspirational role models and we also acknowledge that our community is full of many others who continue to smash the glass ceiling every day.  #BalanceforBetter."

Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service CEO Suzi Berto is to be one of the women featured on International Women's Day. 

The mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who was born and raised in Katherine, said the acknowledgement was more than a surprise.

"I just thought 'wow', I didn't think there were people out there who took note," she said.

"It is special because I am a local Katherine born woman and I feel proud. A lot of the time I work hard and strive for bigger and better things as well as change and it is nice to be noticed."

Working in the health industry since 1982, the CEO started out as a cleaner before working her way to a receptionist and then again further up the ranks. 

"Living in this community and seeing all the changes has been rewarding, but the changes still needed requires a lot of work and it is time to make a start, I am working on that."

She said it was her family and colleagues who had been the biggest motivating factor, getting her to where she is now. 

"They encouraged me to step up, they said 'you've been in the health industry for more than 25 years, it is time to step up'. 

"It is the people who do the work on a daily basis that I pay accolades to - my employees and my family," she said. 

One of the event organisers, Bugzy, who has been involved in the event for the past five years, said she was astounded by the sheer amount of support thrown to the cause this year. 

According to Bugzy, there were only two main events last year celebrating International Women's day.

She said she hopes the increase in attention this year has something to do with the 'Me Too' movement and "everyone getting behind empowering women". 

"The day is for everyone. There is something magical in the air when International Women's Day comes around and you can see women and men coming together to empower each other. 

"There is still a lot of work to do to get to a gender-balanced society.

"But when we get behind these community events the better we can better the world, not just our town," she said. 

Other events include a women in business luncheon, a mums supporting mums group, a morning tea at The Finch Cafe, a YMCA movie night and a professional development for creatives of the Katherine region. 

For more information about events head to the Katherine Town Council website. 

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