UN Women National Committee Australia International Women's Day 2018 Media Package
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___________________________________ UN Women National Committee Australia International Women’s Day 2018 Media Package ___________________________________
About UN Women National Committee Australia
About UN Women & UN Women National Committee Australia
Established in 2010, UN Women is the United Nations agency dedicated to gender equality and the
empowerment of women and works in 96 countries across the globe.
UN Women National Committee Australia is the fundraising and advocacy arm of UN Women here in
Australia. UN Women National Committee Australia raises funds from a wide range of individuals and
businesses to support UN Women’s projects worldwide to:
• End violence against women and girls
• Provide safe and stable jobs
• Develop women as leaders
• Ensure women’s participation in peace processes and humanitarian action, and
• Advance gender equality
UN Women’s approach is unique in that it works from the grassroots to the highest levels of government to
improve policy, strengthen and deliver programs and services to better meet the needs of women and girls.
International Women’s Day 2018 – Key Messages
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on the 8th of March. Each year UN Women
National Committee Australia hosts some of the largest events around the country to celebrate our
achievements and discuss actions needed to continue accelerating gender equality.
Leave no woman behind is UN Women National Committee Australia’s 2018 IWD theme, looking at the vital
role that women play in humanitarian and disaster planning and response. In 2018, our events will discuss the
impacts that disasters have on women, but also highlight the important role women can play in rebuilding,
rehabilitation and peace processes. When women are central to planning, response and recovery efforts,
everyone benefits.
When crisis occurs, people’s lives change in an instant. Death, injury, displacement, and the destruction left
behind impacts entire communities. Women and girls are affected differently by disasters than men and boys.
Disasters kill more women than men, and hit women’s livelihoods hardest.
Why are women and children 14 times more likely to die or be injured in the wake of a natural disaster?
Following the Boxing Day tsunami, a simple lesson shook us all: many girls didn’t know how to climb trees. Boys
did. Climbing to safety, more boys survived than did girls. When disaster strikes, women and girls are also more
likely to stay behind to ensure the safety of children and elderly family members. These are just a few examples
of how gendered roles and action can mean the difference between life and death. There are many more.
Women have important resources and talents to contribute to planning for and responding to disasters and
conflict. Women play a vital role as leaders, given their wealth of knowledge and connections to family and
community and are well placed to help protect and empower other women and girls so that they can survive
and thrive.
How will your donation make a difference this IWD?
Your ticket or table purchase and contribution made at the event will enable UN Women to:
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.au
• Deliver training to first responders, to ensure the needs of women and girls are considered in crisis
response
• Provide safe spaces for women and girls to access counselling, health care, emergency supplies and a
place to connect and share their experiences with others
• Offer jobs programs coupled with vocational training, so that women can contribute to recovery and
rebuilding efforts, and earn an income to support themselves and their families
• Distribute dignity kits, to ensure women and girls have the basics in the wake of disasters, including
necessities like soap and sanitary pads
• Provide solar lanterns to bring light to women and girls following natural disasters helping reduce the
risk of gender-based violence
• Ensure women have a seat around decision-making tables to guide how emergency services are
delivered and information is distributed
…in the lead up to and in times of crisis or disaster.
$78 can support a woman to replant her crops in the aftermath of a cyclone
$155 can develop a toolkit for frontline responders of gender-based violence
$480 can provide one month supply of food for 10 women living in a shelter
$600 can provide a four month cash for work opportunity to a refugee or displaced woman, enabling her to
provide nutrition, health care and education for her family
$917 can support a social and safe space for crisis-affected, vulnerable women and girls, for 1 week
Your support this International Women’s Day will help ensure that when crisis hits, no woman is left behind. UN
Women works to ensure that women and girls are equally consulted in order to understand and address their
unique needs and vulnerabilities during and in the wake of crisis. UN Women also works to ensure women’s
knowledge is shared, their talents are utilised, and their voices are heard in disaster and conflict preparedness,
planning and response. Leave no woman behind. Join us for IWD 2018.
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International Women’s Day 2018 - Social Media Package
Website: unwomen.org.au
Social Handles: Twitter @UNWomenAust | Facebook @UNWomenAustralia | Instagram @unwomenaust
Hashtags: #IWD2018, #leavenowomanbehind
Images to upload: Package is available to download here
Twitter
• .@UNWomenAust #IWD2018 events explore the vital role women play in crisis response and
planning. Get your tickets or table today and join one of the largest #IWD events across
Aust http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36 #leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Hero-Twitter.jpg]
• When disaster strikes, women & girls are more likely to stay behind to ensure the safety of
children & elderly family members. @UNWomenAust #IWD2018 events explore women's vital
role in disaster planning and response. Get your tix today http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36
#leavenowomanbehind
• Research shows that when women are involved in prevention and crisis response, it leads to
better outcomes and lowers risk. @UNWomenAust #IWD2018 events highlight the important role
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.au
women play in crisis planning and response. Join us http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36
#leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Hero-Twitter.jpg]
• Even disasters discriminate. Disasters kill more women than men, and hit women’s livelihoods
hardest. So where are women's voices in disaster planning and response? Join the
discussion @UNWomenAust #IWD2018 events across Aust http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36
#leavenowomanbehind
Stories
• In Vietnam, women like Huong Duong now have a place at the decision-making table and are able
to provide their perspectives on disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response
http://bit.ly/2qrN24D #IWD2018 #leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Vietnam-
Twitter.jpg]
• UN Women’s Fiji Multi-Country Office leads efforts to ensure the needs of women and girls are
included in disaster preparedness, response and recovery in Pacific Island countries.
http://bit.ly/2Atqj7V #IWD2018 #leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Pacific-
Twitter.jpg]
• Maali Gurung, 62, was trapped under rubble for days when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal
on 25 April 2015, killing her husband and destroying her hotel. http://bit.ly/2CHhnBa #IWD2018
#leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Nepal-Twitter.jpg]
Facebook/LinkedIn
• @UNWomenAustralia International Women’s Day March 2018 events explore the vital role
women play in crisis response and planning. Get your tickets or table today and join one of the
largest #IWD events across the country http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36 #leavenowomanbehind
#IWD2018 [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Hero-Facebook.jpg]
• When disaster strikes, women & girls are more likely to stay behind to ensure the safety of
children & elderly family members. @UNWomenAustralia International Women’s Day March
2018 events explore women's vital role in disaster planning and response. Get your tickets or
table today http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36 #leavenowomanbehind #IWD2018 [UPLOAD IWD2018-
Story-Hero-Facebook.jpg]
• Research shows that when women are involved in prevention and crisis response, it leads to
better outcomes and lowers risk. @UNWomenAustralia International Women’s Day March 2018
events highlight the important role women play in crisis planning and response. Join us
http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36 #leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Hero-Facebook.jpg]
• Even disasters discriminate. Disasters kill more women than men, and hit women’s livelihoods
hardest. So where are women's voices in disaster planning and response? Join the discussion
@UNWomenAustralia International Women’s Day March 2018 events across Australia
http://ow.ly/aVsU30gPl36 #leavenowomanbehind #IWD2018
Stories
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.au
• In Vietnam, women like Huong Duong now have a place at the decision-making table and are able
to provide their perspectives on disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response
http://bit.ly/2qrN24D #IWD2018 #leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Vietnam-
Facebook.jpg]
• UN Women’s Fiji Multi-Country Office leads efforts to ensure the needs of women and girls are
included in disaster preparedness, response and recovery in Pacific Island countries.
http://bit.ly/2Atqj7V #IWD2018 #leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Pacific-
Facebook.jpg]
• Maali Gurung, 62, was trapped under rubble for days when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal
on 25 April 2015, killing her husband and destroying her hotel. http://bit.ly/2CHhnBa #IWD2018
#leavenowomanbehind [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Nepal-Facebook.jpg]
Instagram
• Research shows that when women are involved in prevention and crisis response, it leads to
better outcomes and lowers risk. @unwomenaust #IWD2018 events highlight the important role
women play in crisis planning and response. Get your tickets today at unwomen.org.au
-
#leavenowomanbehind #women #girls #disaster #crisis #DisasterResponse #DisasterPlanning
#Equality #Gender [UPLOAD IWD2018-Hero-Insta.jpg]
• In #Vietnam, women like Huong Duong now have a place at the decision-making table and are
able to provide their perspectives on disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response. Join the
discussion @unwomenaust #IWD2018 events across #Australia, tickets available at
unwomen.org.au
-
#leavenowomanbehind #women #girls #disaster #crisis #DisasterResponse #DisasterPlanning
#Equality #Gender [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Vietnam-Insta.jpg]
• UN Women’s Fiji Multi-Country Office leads efforts to ensure the needs of women and girls are
included in disaster preparedness, response and recovery in Pacific Island countries. Join the
discussion @unwomenaust #IWD2018 events across #Australia, tickets available at
unwomen.org.au
-
#leavenowomanbehind #women #girls #disaster #crisis #DisasterResponse #DisasterPlanning
#Equality #Gender [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Pacific-Insta.jpg]
• Maali Gurung, 62, was trapped under rubble for days when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit
#Nepal on 25 April 2015, killing her husband and destroying her hotel. She was severely injured
and needed help. At the UN Women supported multipurpose centre, Ms. Gurung was able to rest
and heal. Today she is part of a cash-for-work program and planning to rebuild her home. The
needs of women and girls in disaster planning and response must not be forgotten. Join the
discussion @unwomenaust #IWD2018 events across #Australia, tickets available at
unwomen.org.au
-
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.au
#leavenowomanbehind #women #girls #disaster #crisis #DisasterResponse #DisasterPlanning
#Equality #Gender [UPLOAD IWD2018-Story-Nepal-Insta.jpg]
Stories
Women leading disaster prevention and response in Vietnam.
Photo: UN Women Viet Nam/Hoang Hiep
Vietnam ranks among the 12 countries with the highest levels of exposure to natural disasters this year.
Until recently, women’s role in disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response was not recognised,
which compromised these efforts. With the support of UN Women, local women are now leading their
communities in preparing for disasters in ways that reduce negative impacts. When the Kien Giang River
flooded last year in the middle of the night, the damage to lives and livelihoods of the people of My Thuy
commune was minimal, because of the preparations and adaptations already in place.
"Most of the villagers were sleeping when the flood was rushing in,” recalls Huong Duong, a small
shopkeeper living near Kien Giang River in My Thuy commune. “I was woken by the commune loudspeakers
warning people that the river water was at a very high level and urging them to help each other to bring
their belongings to higher places.” The water flooded Duong’s house very quickly, but luckily, just a little
rice that she had left on the floor got wet. Before the flood, she had placed all her furniture and the chickens
she raised on higher ground. She had already sold the pigs, in anticipation of the flood season. In her
neighbourhood, the damage was minor as a result of foresight and planning.
Thanks to UN Women, the leadership of women in disaster management and risk reduction is now
recognised and promoted in Vietnam. Women like Huong Duong now have a place at the decision-making
table and are able to share their perspectives to plan actions in advance of and during the storm season.
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.au
“When I know a storm is coming, I inform the villagers. We help each other to reinforce houses. Some people
place sand and stock bags on the roofs to stabilise them. I also remind my neighbours to stock up on food
and keep a portable kerosene stove or wood stove handy, so that we can cook without electricity during
stormy days,” explains Duong. She is now one of 30 active community leaders of the My Thuy commune in
charge of information distribution, trained by the Vietnam Women’s Union and UN Women’s joint project
on disaster risk reduction. The project has reached more than 5,000 people—including men, women, the
elderly and children—training and informing them about disaster preparedness and response. In disaster-
prone Vietnam, where according to the government data, on average, 400 lives are lost every year due to
climate disasters, this training can mean the difference between life and death.
“[Now] …there's a formal acknowledgement that women have a critical role to play in preventing and
responding to disasters, which is a victory for us.” Says Shoko Ishikawa, UN Women Vietnam Country
Representative.
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Placing Pacific women at the forefront of disaster planning and response
Photo: UN Women/Murray Lloyd
In February 2016, the strongest cyclone ever to make landfall in the Southern Hemisphere, Cyclone
Winston, ravaged Fiji, destroying crops and flattening villages.
“We were at home on the night of the cyclone, the wind was too strong…it ripped our house apart and we
ran. While we were hiding in another house, a tree fell and ripped the roof open...We ran again and found
shelter in our neighbour’s house,” recalls Salote Tubuna, a Fiji Rakiraki market vendor and farmer. Before
the night was over, her neighbour’s house was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston and the family took
cover under a bed, waiting for daylight.
Salote and her family relied on a small vegetable plot beside their house for their income, Salote selling the
harvest at the market a few times a week. In the wake of Cyclone Winston, along with their home, their
crop was mostly destroyed. Just a small amount of cassava remained, enough for only one week. When it
was gone, there was nothing left to sell.
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.au
In Fiji and across the Pacific, women are often responsible for sourcing the food their families need to
survive, they are heavily involved in farming, and they make up the majority of market vendors. In the wake
of a natural disaster, the destruction of market buildings and crops not only deprives thousands of women
and their families of a secure food supply, but also their main source of income. Adding to this, the chaos,
helplessness and frustration surrounding disaster settings often sees existing gender discrimination
magnified -- meaning women and girls are even more vulnerable to all types of gender based violence.
It is vital that the needs and the voices of women and girls are integrated at all levels of disaster
preparedness, response and recovery. UN Women’s Fiji Multi-Country Office leads the Pacific Humanitarian
Protection Cluster. In this role, UN Women brings together UN agencies, regional and international
organisations with local authorities to identify and address the needs of impacted communities. This
ensures the concerns of women and girls are front and centre – keeping them safe, and providing
meaningful roles for them to participate in recovery and rebuilding.
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Healing in post-earthquake Nepal
Photo: UN Women/Narendra Shrestha
Maali Gurung, 62, was trapped under rubble for days when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on 25
April 2015, killing her husband and destroying her hotel. She was severely injured and needed help. At the
UN Women supported multipurpose centre, Maali was able to rest and heal. Today she is part of a cash-
for-work program and planning to rebuild her home.
Maali recalls going to get some water at the tap next to her hotel on 25 April 2015, just before the
earthquake occurred. “It started shaking violently, then I fell and my body hit the ground very hard,” she
says. Maali couldn’t move, and she watched in horror as her hotel turned into rubble within seconds.
Unable to get away from whatever she was buried under, she heard people yelling and running away. “I
tried to yell, but no sound came, the dust burned my eyes, I couldn’t see…then I passed out.”
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.auOn the day of the earthquake, Maali’s husband was killed by falling debris. Maali was trapped under rubble.
For five days and four nights, Ms. Gurung was in and out of consciousness. After five days, her neighbours
found her alive.
When Ms. Gurung was discharged from the hospital, she was brought to a multipurpose women’s centre,
supported by UN Women. Maali received trauma counselling and skills training. Once she was fully
recovered, she joined UN Women’s jobs program to help rebuild. Through the centre, many other survivors
received trauma counselling, psychosocial support, skills training, legal and life-saving information.
In response to the earthquakes in Nepal, UN Women worked side-by-side with government, other UN
agencies, and women’s groups to highlight the distinct needs of women and girls, and to promote their role
as meaningful participants in eventual recovery, reconstruction and development.
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MCs and Speakers
Tracey Spicer
MC for IWD Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney events
Tracey Spicer is an author, journalist and television presenter who has anchored programs for ABC TV,
Network Ten, Channel 9 and Sky News over the past 30 years.
Renowned for the courage of her convictions, passion for social justice, and commitment to equality, she
also has a wicked sense of humour.
Currently, she works as a weekly columnist for Fairfax, presentation trainer for Outspoken Women and the
Australian Film, Television and Radio School, and media trainer at Spicer Communications. She appears
regularly as a commentator on ABC TV and Channel 9.
Tracey has written, produced and presented documentaries for NGOs in Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Papua
New Guinea, and India, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in Australia.
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.auHer essays have appeared in dozens of books, including Women of Letters, She’s Having a Laugh, and
Bewitched & Bedevilled: Women Write the Gillard Years, while her TEDx Talk, The Lady Stripped Bare, has
attracted more than 2.5 million views.
The 50-year-old is also the co-founder and national convenor of Women in Media, a nationwide mentoring
and networking group, backed by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
Her first book, the best-selling The Good Girl Stripped Bare, was published by HarperCollins in April 2017.
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Elizabeth Shaw
MC for IWD Perth event
Elizabeth was a Board Member of UN Women National Committee Australia from 2010, and President from
2014 - 2017.
A qualified company director, Elizabeth serves as Deputy Chair of Inclusion WA and serves on the Steering
Committee of the 30% Club, an initiative to increase the number of female directors on ASX-200 boards to
30% by 2018.
She works full time in KPMG’s advisory practice, supporting organisations to manage people impacts during
times of significant change. Prior to this, she worked as the Executive Director of the UN Association of
Australia and as a solicitor at the State Solicitor’s Office of Western Australia.
In 2008, she served as the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, consulting with 5,000
young Australians before presenting her findings at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Elizabeth has published widely on gender and development issues and has presented on these topics
around Australia and at the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.auElizabeth has been recognised with an Australian Leadership Award from the Australian Davos Connection,
a West Australian of the Year Award (Youth) from Celebrate WA and as a Global Leader of Tomorrow by
the University of St Gallen, Switzerland.
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Heba Qasas
Panellist for IWD Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney events
Hiba Qasas is the Chief of the Crisis Prevention, Preparedness and Response Unit of UN Women based in
Geneva. Prior to that Ms Qasas served as the UN Women Country Representative in Iraq and as the Head
of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) section in UN Women’s Headquarters in New York.
She has 16 years of international development and crisis prevention and response experience and in-
depth experience in the Middle East and North African Region and gender issues. Prior to joining UN
Women, Ms. Qasas worked at UNDP managing a broad range of programs focused on poverty reduction,
crisis prevention and recovery and providing program guidance to country offices in the Arab states and
horn of Africa Region in crisis response, economic recovery and women’s empowerment. Before joining
the UN, Ms. Qasas worked for Palestinian NGOs with a focus on microfinance and rural development.
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GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
www.unwomen.org.auSmriti Aryal
Panellist for IWD Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney events
Smriti Aryal serves as UN Women’s Regional Advisor for Humanitarian Response and Resilience Building,
based out of the UN Women Yangon office.
In her regional role for Asia and the Pacific region, Smriti provides technical assistance and capacity
development to a wide range of stakeholders for coordinated joint actions to ensure women and girls
choices, decisions and needs are prioritized in the humanitarian actions including DRR across the region.
Smriti also supports UN Women country offices through strategic advice, technical assistance and
strategic program development and resource mobilization to ensure that, through their action, UN
Women can increase women’s leadership and decision making in humanitarian actions, meet women’s
needs in humanitarian situations and promote their capabilities in building resilience for themselves,
family and the wider community.
GPO Box 2824, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
admin@unwomen.org.au | ABN: 23 638 729 775 | ACN: 613 156 700
T: + 61 2 6173 3222 F: + 61 2 6162 3349
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