Blue Mountains City Council is demonstrating its support for a gender equitable future by celebrating International Women's Day 2023 with a range of events and advocacy activities.
The Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub are live streaming three events from the Sydney Opera House's All About Women festival from midday on Sunday 12 March. The All About Women festival celebrates extraordinary thinkers, writers and artists, and poses vital questions about gender, equality and justice. There will also be vintage clothing stalls, and free live music.
Taking action to reduce family and domestic violence in the Blue Mountains is a key focus for Council. Mayor, Councillor Mark Greenhill, said: "This International Women's Day, I call again on our Blue Mountains community to declare together that we will not tolerate violence and abuse against women and children."
Recognising family and domestic violence as a serious and widespread problem in Australia, with enormous individual and community impacts and social costs, Council resolved at the Ordinary Council Meeting 22 February 2022 to establish a Mayoral Reference Group for Family and Domestic Violence. Councillor Suzie van Opdorp was appointed Chair of the Committee.
The Family & Domestic Violence Advisory Committee met for the first time on 27 February and identified several potential actions that will form a positive starting point for developing a plan and agenda for the group.
The Committee's work will align with Council's commitment to implement community development initiatives that address the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged, as well as the priorities of the Gender Equity Strategy 2021-2026.
The Gender Equity Strategy 2021-2026 was adopted by Council in August 2021, cementing Council's commitment to gender equity and aligning with Council's inclusive policies.
CEO, Dr Rosemary Dillon, said: "The Gender Equity Strategy 2021-2026 is critical in helping achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes for everyone. It will help establish work conditions that support and advance women in both the local community and local government. As a major local employer, Blue Mountains City Council is committed to making its own workplace one that promotes flexibility and is committed to health and wellbeing.
"Enhancing gender equity has significant economic and productivity gains that impact local, state and national economies. It also has significant benefits to Council's productivity and ability to deliver high quality and responsive services for the Blue Mountains community."
You can read the Gender Equity Strategy 2021-2026 at https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/gender-equity
For more information on the Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub's live stream event please visit https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/public-programs/international-women-s-day-celebration-event/ Entry is free, but registration is required.
Photo: Left to Right - Maree Cairns, Janice Atkinson, Vicki Edmunds, Jen Handcock (on screen), Councillor Suzie Van Opdorp, Kirrilly Twomey & Joy Goodsell.
