International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on the 8th of March each year. In 2021 we are celebrating women in leadership and the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future.

Advancing women in leadership is central to creating safer communities, more sustainable economies, thriving businesses, and a healthier and more peaceful society. Every day, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls make extraordinary contributions to the social, spiritual, economic and political life of their communities and all of Australia.

Women leaders are making a difference every day, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have diverse strengths that support all aspects of life. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the disproportionate burdens that women carry and the importance of women’s contributions to decision making.

Across Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are leading organisations and institutions carrying out effective and inclusive COVID-19 responses, from the highest levels of decision-making through to frontline service delivery. Indigenous women bring different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table, and make invaluable contributions to decisions, policies and laws that work better for all.

And yet in Australian companies, women represent just 17.1 per cent of CEOs and 14.1 per cent of board chairs; and just one of the 25 CEOs appointed to lead ASX 200 organisations in the past year has been female.

There is a growing understanding and expectation that leadership in all facets of economic, political and social life must reflect communities. We all miss out if 50 per cent of the talent pool – women in all their diversity — is not around decision-making tables. A recent Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) study showed that more women on Boards and in senior leadership roles resulted in improved company performance, profitability and productivity.

This International Women’s Day, support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s leadership and participation in all decisions that impact their lives.

#womenlead