MEDIA RELEASE
10 March 2008
For immediate release
Australia Week opens with International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was celebrated at the Australian High Commission this morning with an event which also marked the start of Australia Week 2008.
Around 150 people attended the gathering including the Community Development Minister, Dame Carol Kidu, and the Australian television personality, Ernie Dingo.
Both Dame Carol and Ernie Dingo spoke about issues affecting women as did the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis and Jane Kittel, the Pacific Banking General Manager with Westpac Bank.
International Women’s Day falls on 8 March each year. Since that was a Saturday this year, the date was instead marked today.
Mr Moraitis said he was pleased that the International Women’s Day event was also the first event of Australia Week 2008.
“Given the importance that the Australian Government attaches to the promotion of gender equality it is fitting that this event is the first of Australia Week 2008,” he said.
"I call on men to play their part in ensuring progress on gender equality issues by becoming champions for women, both in the home and the work place. Changing male attitudes towards women to achieve gender equality is essential.
“It is essential for building a healthy, educated, more peaceful and prosperous society. When women are fully empowered and engaged, all of society benefits. Only in this way can we successfully take on the enormous challenges confronting us.”
During his speech, Ernie Dingo talked about the women who have influenced him positively during his life, including his mother, his grandmother and his wife.
“I don’t look back at everything that I’ve done and say, yes, that’s something I can tick off. I love being graced every day by something new and I get that from my mum,” he said.
Australia Week, which runs from 10-16 March, involves numerous events designed to highlight the strength of the relationship between Australia and PNG.
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