International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The day focuses on accelerating gender parity and is all about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action. International Women’s Day has been occurring for well over a century – and continues to grow from strength to strength.
Frankston City Council is proud to celebrate IWD 2024 this year with community events and acknowledging the achievements of our staff and their work in gender equality that encompasses the 2024 theme from UN Women Australia is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.
‘Without equal access to education, employment pathways, financial services and literacy, how can we ever hope to reach gender equality?’
Frankston City Council is hosting several events to celebrate International Women's Day. Find them at International Women's Day events 2024.
Build Your Toolbox
Sunday 3 March, 10am – 12pm at Frankston North Community Centre (FNCC)
Don’t know your Philips head from your sander? Why not spend the morning learning the basics while building your own wooden toolbox? Join Deb from Women in Workshops to learn new skills you may have missed out on! This activity is proudly co-sponsored by The Pines Men’s Shed and is part of Local Women’s Week, proudly hosted by FNCC.
8 spots available, to book a ticket - please email or call 03 8773 9545
International Women’s Day Presentation: Count Her In
Monday 4 March, 12pm to 1:30pm at Chisholm Institute Frankston
In partnership with Frankston Social Enterprise Hub, we invite aspiring entrepreneurs, local businesses, grassroots organisations, community groups and students to join us for an inspiring presentation and lunch with three incredible female leaders who will share their insights into career opportunities, challenges and the pathways to creating positive change for women through social enterprise.
Guest Female Speakers:
- Deb Mellet – General Manager at Nairm Marr Djambana
- Sally Caruana – Founder and CEO at SheForce
- Marian Gandy – Board Member at Groomed To Go
Bookings essential, get your FREE ticket here
Barely Boxing with Jenny
Tuesday 5 March , 9:30am – 10:15am at Frankston North Community Centre (FNCC)
Start the day feeling powerful and strong with this cardio and strength workout using steps and boxing gloves - run by our very own fitness champ – Jenny.
This activity is part of Local Women’s Week, proudly hosted by FNCC.
10 spots available, to book a ticket - please email or call 03 8773 9545
Sound Healing
Tuesday 5 March, 11:45am or 12:45pm (2 x sessions) at Frankston North Community Centre (FNCC)
Kylie will take you on a sound healing journey to reduce stress, increase awareness and practice mindfulness – a wonderful way to ‘reset’.
This activity is part of Local Women’s Week, proudly hosted by FNCC.
10 spots available for each session, to book a ticket - please email or call 03 8773 9545
FrankTALK with Author Sarah Bailey
Wednesday 6th March, 1:00pm at Frankston Library
Join us as we welcome the bestselling author of The Housemate, Sarah Bailey, when she sits down for a chat about her latest wonder as DS Gemma Woodstock returns to Smithson in a mysterious new thriller. Sarah will be chatting about strong female protagonists and her own experience working through the ranks of the advertising world to become the current Managing Director of marketing and advertising company - VMLY&R.
Bookings essential, get your FREE ticket here
Power in Paint
Thursday 7 March, 1pm and 2pm (2 x sessions) at Frankston North Community Centre (FNCC)
Explore your creative side with Sara by asking yourself "what does inner power mean to you?" and then take home the amazing artwork you created!
This activity is part of Local Women’s Week, proudly hosted by FNCC.
8 spots available for each session, to book a ticket - please email or call 03 8773 9545
Morning Tea Storytime with Coral Vass
Friday 8 March, 9.30am -10.30am at Frankston North Community Centre (FNCC)
Bring your little ones along for this very special reading of "The Heartbeat of the Land" by author Coral Vass and explore resilience, hope and empowerment for young girls. Dress as your favourite female character and enjoy some free tasty treats and hot drinks.
This activity is part of Local Women’s Week, proudly hosted by FNCC.
20 spots available, to book a ticket - please email or call 03 8773 9545
Youth Services: FREE Financial Workshop
Friday 8 March, 5:30pm – 8pm at Youth Central (60A Playne St, Frankston)
Are you aged between 15 – 24 and interested in learning more about your finances and planning for the future? Frankston Youth Services you invites to attend a FREE interactive workshop with free dinner and show bag to start your financial journey!
Topics will include:
- Setting budgets
- Prioritising your spending
- Saving tips (like buying a car)
- Buy Now, Pay Later (Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal etc)
- Prevent and manage debt!
Booking essential, get your FREE ticket here
Lifelong Learning Workshops Presented by Mission Australia
Multiple sessions at Frankston Library
Join us for a series of FREE workshops aimed at assisting parents and other adults in returning to work or entering the workforce for the first time. Become part of a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to continuous learning and personal development in a supportive and encouraging environment. Bookings are essential for the following preferred topic (sessions are FREE of cost):
Council Staff 2022 IWD Video #BreakTheBias
As part of Council's celebration of International Women's Day this year, female and non-binary staff were invited to share their stories of #BreakTheBias with experience in or overcoming prejudice and discrimination.
The purpose of this video is to recognise and document the diverse lived experiences of our incredible staff that never stop advocating for greater gender equality.
Men as Role Models pilot project
The Men as Role Models (MARM) is a new innovative mentoring pilot program that aims to:
- support and develop boys and men to be the best version of themselves
- become leaders in respect and gender equality in their communities.
Participants (aged 15-24) will be paired with trained mentors in the community. Mentors will encourage behaviours and actions that promote a community of respect, community safety and connection.
Visit the Men as Role Models Mentoring Program page to learn more and sign up.
The Gender Equality Act 2020 was passed on 20 February 2020 with 2 key aims:
- to require the public sector, universities and local councils to take positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality.
- to promote gender equality in their policies, programs and services.
Frankston City Council, along with other defined entities under the Gender Equality Act 2020, are required to conduct a gender audit. The audit results inform a meaningful Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP), which is required to be submitted to the Commission for Gender Equality in the public sector.
The GEAP comprises the internally focused aspects of Gender Equality at Frankston City Council. There are additional initiatives to include gender equality into our policies, programs and services as they impact the community. This Action Plan details data and initiatives focused internally on the staff, culture and outcomes involved in working at Frankston City Council.
The Orange Door
First contact point for information and support about family violence in Frankston.
Men's Referral Service
Information for men at risk of using violence.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Information and support for people who have experienced past recent assault.
Safe Steps
Information and support for women with disabilities experiencing family violence.
Victims of Crime
Information and support for male victims of violent crime.
Rainbow Door
Information and support for same-sex attracted and gender diverse people.
Djirra
Culturally safe family violence and legal advice for aboriginal communities.
Seniors Rights Victoria
Information and support for older people experiencing elder abuse.
InTouch
Information and support for women from migrant and refugee communities.
Whitelion
Information and support for young people aged 10–25 years.
IWD Keynote “Cracking the Code: The Power of Words”
A special keynote and discussion with Digital Rights Watch Advocate - Samantha Floreani on inclusive language for a gender equal future with an esteemed panel of guests advancing gender equality; Ashleigh Streeter-Jones (Founder - Raise Our Voice Australia) Kit McMahon (CEO – Women’s Health in the South East) and Michael Hail (General Manager - The Men’s Project)
Youth Robotics and STEM Workshop
Frankston Youth Services hosted a special Robotics and STEAM workshops with Google Cloud Engineer; Emily Qiao to help build robots and talk education and employment pathways for young people.
Frankston Arts Centre presents: King of Pigs
The King of Pigs is an unflinching examination of masculinity, abuse, and power in the place we feel safest - our homes. From the mind of critically-acclaimed writer Steve Rodgers, comes this astonishing new play that boldly explores the issue of violence against women.
Youth Woodworking Event
Youth Services is hosted a free event for young people to celebrate International Women’s Day. In recognition of this year’s theme #BreakTheBias young learnt practical wood working tools and engaged in conversations about dismantling rigid gender roles.
Addressing Barriers to Employment with Jobs Advocates Victoria Advocate
Frankston Council’s Jobs Advocates team hosted a forum identifying the barriers to employment as well the the strategic partnerships working to address them such as Groomed to Go
Community Open Day at PARC Advocate
To celebrate IWD, PARC hosted a free community open day to all community members including health and fitness classes
Change Our Game with Sharni Norder – International Women’s Day Event
Change Our Game ambassador Sharni Norder spoke of her experience of #BreakTheBias. Frankston Council’s Recreation Department also launched their new ‘Sporting Club Self-Assessment Tool’ to assist local clubs in becoming more gender inclusive.
Frankie’s Café #BreakTheBias Cookies
Frankston South Community Centre Café baked and distributed free #BreakTheBias cookies for various community groups to prompt discussions about inspirational women in their lives
Frankston City Libraries Storytimes and Reading List
Frankston City Library Storytimes acknowledged International Women’s Day and the message of equity and inclusivity by hosting gender-equality themed story-time sessions for children on how we can all collectively #BreakTheBias for our future generations.
Download Frankston Libraries International Women’s Day readings list here: Women’s Day readings list(PDF, 345KB).