Almost 100 people marched in Katherine yesterday to recognise the social, economic and political achievements women have made, but also the long road to parity ahead.
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This year's International Women's Day theme ‘Better the Balance, Better the World’ was a call to action for gender balance across the board.
While the international celebration of women happened on Friday, March 8, the unprecedented number of events in Katherine this year called for a spread over three days.
From a business luncheon, movies, professional development and speeches from inspiring women to music and mentoring sessions there was a mountain of things to do.
Protest signs in hand, the Katherine activists walked across the heritage listed Railway Bridge acknowledging women who are 'Smashing the Glass Ceiling'.
Sings read "women's rights are human rights", "better together," "equality" and "we can do it".
One of the event organisers Brioni McGrath, also known as Bugzy, said she was "surprised by the awesome turn out".
"Community events are so crucial. It is so hard to keep doing them sometimes, but when you see a great turn out like we did yesterday, and so many people supporting the cause, it is just amazing.
"It was great to see so many passionate people out with fantastic signs.
"The stories were inspirational and empowering, and it was a good chance to reflect on how far we have come but also how far we have to go."
Feminism is not a dirty word.
- Event organiser, Brioni McGrath
The event 'Smashing The Glass Ceiling’ showcased 12 professional women in Katherine on banners across the Railway Bridge.
"[These women] 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," one of the organisers Toni 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."
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