Members statements
International Women’s Day
Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Minister for Planning, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (09:37): Dear women in my electorate of Carrum, on this International Women’s Day I want to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for all that you do. You might think that no-one notices, but your strength, resilience, courage and fortitude inspire me every day. I know each of you face unique challenges in your lives. Some of you face them alone; others of you are more fortunate and have someone to listen and help. I know you still do more of the domestic and unpaid work. You still get paid less than men. You are still more likely to take parental leave and be the primary carer and work part-time, yet you get on with your days without fanfare. You keep things ticking over. You are quite simply amazing, so please do not believe people when they try to tell you that you are not good enough, or that you cannot do something because of your age or background or sexuality or religion or education or work. Do not believe people when they try to tell you that you are not smart enough or that you are not worthy or that you are too emotional or unstable or that no-one cares what you think because, trust me, they will try.
You are not invisible. You matter to me and to every person in this government. Together we will – we must – keep slogging for a more equitable and just and fair and safe world for women and girls, because it is a slog. It is unrelenting. It is definitely not all pink or purple or cupcakes or morning teas. But International Women’s Day should never go unnoticed. It is such an important opportunity to think about all the women before us – how hard they fought, how much they achieved – and equally today is a day to remind each of us that we can never, ever give up.