Women’s economic empowerment is central to a gender equal world. When women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead – entire communities thrive.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment.
Based on the priority theme for the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women, Count Her In will examine the pathways to greater economic inclusion for women and girls everywhere.
While important progress has been made, women face significant obstacles to achieving equal participation in the economy.
Without equal access to education, employment pathways, financial services and literacy, how can we ever hope to reach gender equality?
We must ensure women and girls are given equal opportunity to build their capabilities and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn and lead.
Join us as we kick off our networking series by commemorating IWD 2024!
Cost: FREE for WIAD Members, $25 for Supporters, $10 for Non-Member Students, interns and unwaged.
NOTE: This event will also be ONLINE
Speakers
Sophie Cooke
Sophie Cooke is the Head of Innovation and Growth at Habitat for Humanity Australia, where she is responsible for developing innovative programs and funding solutions and contributing to the strategic direction of the organization. Sophie has worked her whole career in the not-for-profit sector, with the last 15 years spent specialising in international development in the Asia Pacific region, including three years living and working in Timor-Leste. Sophie completed a Masters in Development Studies from SOAS, University of London, and has previously worked for Childfund, WaterAid, Field Ready and as an independent consultant.
Marlene Dutta
Marlene is Good Return’s Pacific Program Manager, responsible for building financial inclusion and business opportunities for women in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.
Marlene brings extensive technical experience in the business, NGO and community development sectors and a deep insight into Pacific cultures, economics and gender issues.
Driven by innovative and critical thinking, respect and kindness, Marlene embraces every opportunity to bring sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions to improving lives and livelihoods in the region. She is well known in Fiji for setting up an online bartering community during COVID-19 to help women connect and support each other during a difficult financial time. At Good Return, Marlene has established an impact investment fund and microlending to support women building their businesses, particularly in farming and organic products.
Nicole Clements
Nicole is the Head of Communications and Marketing at Opportunity International Australia and is passionate about the topics we are discussing today as part of International Women’s Day (IWD)
Nicole who deeply believes in this year’s IWD theme works for an agency that is passionate and committed to this work. Nicole has more than 20 years of experience in media and international development, within Australia and overseas in Asia, Africa, the UK and the US. She has visited dozens of programs and countries in her international development work and is passionate about enabling others to see the impact of global poverty first-hand through film, photography and stories, giving voice to the most marginalised, particularly women and their families.
Nicole has worked in communications, advocacy, strategy and fundraising roles for, among others, the international aid agency Caritas Australia, Catholic Health Australia, and Westpac, as well as an on-air TV journalist with ABC TV, SBS, Associated Press Television, and Reuters.
Opportunity International Australia was founded by entrepreneur and former Senior Australian of the Year David Bussau OAM and is one of the pioneers of microfinance globally using small loans to create financial systems change on behalf of women and families experiencing poverty globally.