As students take part in a week long calendar of events to mark International Women’s Day this Sunday including an interschool gender equity forum, Liam M-Z, Captain of Gender Equity at Newington, explains why IWD is so significant. 

On Sunday, communities across the world will mark International Women’s Day, pausing to reflect on a shared question: how do we create a world where women and girls are truly equal? 

International Women’s Day is both a celebration of progress and a recognition of the barriers that still remain. Whilst women today lead nations, run companies, and shape science, art, and policy, inequality hasn’t disappeared. It still shows its face in pay gaps, in underrepresentation, in stereotypes, and in spaces where voices go unheard. 

International Women’s Day isn’t only something that exists on a global stage. It exists here too. 

In a school like Newington, it asks something of us as young people. It asks us to reflect on the impact of women in our lives and to express our gratitude. As a school committed to inclusivity, International Women’s Day gives us a chance to celebrate the diverse community that we have here. 

It also gives us a moment to pause and reflect on how we speak about individuals when they’re not in the room. It asks us who we listen to, what we laugh at, and whether we choose to challenge attitudes that quietly reinforce inequality. For me, that reflection has always felt personal. 

I grew up surrounded by women. I have two mums, two sisters, three grandmas, and a lot of aunties and friends who’ve shaped the person I’ve become. As the only boy in my family, International Women’s Day has never felt like an abstract idea. It’s felt like a reminder to recognise the strength, resilience, and leadership I’ve seen every day in the women closest to me. 

Watching my mums balance family, work, and community has shown me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, but often the most generous listener. It’s shown me compassion that never asks for recognition, determination that doesn’t give up, and a kind of strength that gives endlessly, even when it goes unseen. 

And that idea of giving is exactly what sits at the heart of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain’. 

For us at Newington, giving doesn’t have to be something grand. It might mean giving time to listen to a different perspective. Giving respect in the way we speak to or about others. Giving support when someone challenges a comment that doesn’t sit right. Because when we give empathy, understanding, and opportunity, what we gain is a stronger, more inclusive community. 

That’s something we’re continuing to work towards through the Gender Equity Committee here at school. Each week, students meet during Wednesday lunchtimes in W20 to discuss how we can better understand issues of gender equity and take practical steps to improve our community. Anyone is welcome to come along and join these sessions. 

And on Monday 9 March at 4.30pm in the OBLT, the committee will be hosting an interschool Gender Equity Forum, reflecting on this year’s theme of ‘Give to Gain’, where students from other schools, will be joining us here at Newington. 

For me, this forum is what International Women’s Day at Newington looks like in action. It’s an opportunity not just to talk, but to listen, reflect, and consider what giving to gain might mean in our own everyday lives. 

In mentor groups this week, you will all be invited to complete a gratitude card for someone in your life and discuss further what International Women’s Day is. 

Starting this lunchtime, we will have a gratitude wall up on the drive between the Chapel and Centenary Hall. Students and Staff are invited to write a message of gratitude for a woman in their life. Let’s see if we can fill the wall with messages of thanks by the end of the week. 

In a moment, we will watch a video of student reflections about International Women’s Day. Students from all our campuses have shared their thoughts. 

We will then hear two staff reflections on International Women’s Day. Mrs Gianakoulias, the Year 5 team leader at Wyvern leading our first co-ed cohort, is the first speaker. She should be a familiar face to many former Wyvern students when she was known as Ms Leontios. Followed by Dr Van Arkkels, our Deputy, Academic K–12 and who will be leaving us at the end of this term to become the principal of Yarra Valley Grammar School. 

Equality isn’t a women’s issue; it’s a human one. And real progress begins when we recognise that giving doesn’t mean losing – it means growing. 

So today, and beyond International Women’s Day, let’s make that our challenge as a school community. Let’s aim to give our respect, our empathy, and our willingness to listen. And in doing so, gain something far more meaningful: a place where everyone belongs.