International Women’s Day began as a protest movement; a rallying cry for equal pay, voting rights, equality in workplaces and at home. Victoria has a rich history in that movement – from voting rights to outlawing employment discrimination, abortion care to family violence reform. In 2024, International Women’s Day is a reminder of how far we’ve come – and how far there is to go.
All women deserve to be safe, equal and respected. Right now in Australia, that isn’t the reality – but we have the power to change that by building relationships, communities, organisations and institutions based on respect for women.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Find out what it means to me
‘Respect’ is more than a buzzword. It’s about the way we choose to communicate and act in relationships. It’s about role modelling healthy ideas of what it means to be a man, and raising kids to be themselves.
Respect means bodily autonomy for everyone, and teaching and learning what enthusiastic consent looks like.
Respect means workplaces closing their gender pay gaps, and meaningful policy reform that supports women’s financial independence and decision-making.
Respect means ethical media reporting on intimate partner violence, and choosing not to rely on tired, untrue stereotypes for clicks or ratings.
Respect means listening to and learning from First Nations women. It means challenging transphobia, racism and ableism – and the harmful stereotypes that limit us.
Wherever it is – at work or at school, on the field or online, at the pub or at home – respecting women means changing the conditions that drive violence against them.
Respect Women mural on Swan Street, Richmond
For International Women’s Day 2024, Respect Victoria worked with local artist Niqui Toldi to create a public art piece promoting women’s rights and safety.
The artwork features the silhouette of a woman wearing ‘Respect Women’ earrings – a collaboration between Respect Victoria and Haus of Dizzy (designed and made by Kristy Dickinson, proud Wiradjuri woman and owner of Haus of Dizzy).
Artist Niqui Toldi explores themes of identity, connectedness and expressions of femininity in her work. The mural uses her dandelion motif, representing resilience, the immigrant experience, and the duality of being a migrant in modern Australia.
Women are underrepresented in public art. The Respect Women mural is a contribution to elevating the voices, work and expertise of women artists and creatives in Victoria, while recognising the decades of work by advocates for equal rights and women’s safety.
You can be a part of the International Women’s Day movement by bringing respect for women into your work, relationships and homes. Subscribe to our mailing list to learn more.