Choose to Challenge: Health sector marks International Women’s Day

While it was a public holiday in Victoria, the health sector still managed to mark International Women’s Day with a range of events leading up to the day and countless social media posts sharing videos, images and stories about women on the front line.

Here are some of the ways our members marked #IWD2021

We celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday, highlighting the way women are standing at the front lines of #COVID19.

Our COVID-19 Incident Commander Helen Cooper has reflected on one of the most challenging years.

Learn more: https://t.co/nEh3JpJ0qD#IWD2021 pic.twitter.com/S5Psn26AyM

— Peninsula Health (@PeninsulaHealth) March 8, 2021

As part of Eastern Health’s focus on International Women’s Day, we acknowledge and celebrate the work of Lynne for her innovative and strategic contribution in the field of Child and Youth Mental Health.

Read more – https://t.co/h5KfDN4CmH #IWD2021 pic.twitter.com/qaJXcVdeqJ

— Eastern Health (@easternhealthau) March 9, 2021

Our #WomenofWestHeidelberg weren’t able to host their annual #IWD event today, but this didn’t stop them from celebrating and enjoying a fabulous morning with the wider community at an #IWD2021 event hosted by @ThwaitesKate MP Member for Jaga Jaga at The Rosanna Golf Club today. pic.twitter.com/0ssbB956FS

— Banyule Comm. Health (@BanyuleCHS) March 9, 2021

Watch our video ‘Celebrating Mothers: unsung heroes of Melbourne’s lockdowns’ to hear 5 mums in Melbourne’s East speak about their challenges, the ways they adapted to restrictions & what they’ve learned https://t.co/GzRvWnZDCN#IWD2021 #GenderEqualRecovery #ParentingInAPandemic pic.twitter.com/nPTZ5Lh0Jm

— Women's Health East (@WHEast) March 9, 2021

It is #InternationalWomensDay today! 💜🤍

This year, to acknowledge & celebrate IWD, NRCH will be hosting a panel discussion on Wednesday 10 March. Free afternoon tea provided!

We hope you can join us for this special and inspiring event!

Register: https://t.co/44HzvtMZc3 pic.twitter.com/6KztBDhcVi

— North Richmond Community Health (@NRCHaus) March 7, 2021

Here's to the women we are privileged to care for, and the women providing that care 🎉 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙮!

We will continue being a strong voice for women's health and empower women through our care. #IWD2021 pic.twitter.com/Jfvs5IyaL4

— The Royal Women’s Hospital (@thewomens) March 8, 2021

The health sector was also recognised by a number of Ministers and government organisations.

As we #choosetochallenge the present to celebrate the efforts of women frontline workers, let's #celebratevicwomen like Cherylynn McGurgan, an Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.#IWD2021 #womenlead @TheRMH @VicGovDH @VicGovDFFH pic.twitter.com/B4v8aA8POj

— Women Victoria (@WomenVictoria) March 10, 2021

This #IWD2021 we #CelebrateVicWomen – and especially those on the frontline helping the vulnerable during the pandemic. In aged care & disability. Supporting at-risk children & families. Community volunteers. And so many more. We celebrate you. pic.twitter.com/ka0kgRWNYy

— Luke Donnellan MP (@LukeDonnellan) March 8, 2021

And our partners also used the opportunity to join the conversation, with our principal partner Aware Super using the theme of ‘Choose to Challenge’ to challenge women across Australia to take action and improve their individual retirement outcomes.