Will 2008 Be A Tipping Point For Women?

On Thursday 6 March 2008 two outstanding speakers, Elizabeth Broderick and Helen Trinca,  discussed the key issues confronting women in today’s workforce at the annual International Women's Day Lunch held in Sydney.

This is the second lecture Macquarie University's Division of Economic and Financial Studies has jointly held with the Australian Institute of Management to celebrate International Women’s Day. The third sponsor was UNIFEM Australia.

The theme for discussion was ‘2008: A Tipping Point For Women?’ and addressed issues of equality, economic independence for women, work and family balance, and freedom from discrimination and harassment.

Over 500 guests  attended to hear the two authoritative speakers addressing critical issues relating to women in the workforce.

“With a fresh government, women have at this moment an enormous opportunity to influence the future direction of our country. But to do so we must speak up and we must support others to do so as well,” believes the keynote speaker, Elizabeth Broderick.

In 2007 Elizabeth was appointed the Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination. Prior to this Elizabeth was a partner at one of Australia’s leading law firms, Blake Dawson Waldron.     

Elizabeth has particular interest in issues related to the impact of the internet, women in business, work and life balance, gender equality and corporate social responsibility.

“One of the most critical issues facing working mothers today is the quest to balance our work and caring responsibilities,” says Elizabeth.  

“This issue must be taken seriously both by business and in the public arena.  Our caring responsibilities will only increase with the ageing of our population. If Australia is serious about its economic wellbeing then it must give equal importance to our social well-being.”

The Editor of The Weekend Australian Magazine and Editor-in-Chief of The Australian’s WISH magazine, Helen Trinca, spoke about the presentation of notable women, such as female politicians, in the media. She was the founding Editor of BOSS magazine at The Australian Financial Review and has had a long career across several media outlets.

Co-sponsor of the event Professor Ed Davis AM, Dean of the Division of Economic and Financial Studies, said that the full-house sent a strong message that issues surrounding gender equality are high on the national agenda for women and men, both in  their professional and private lives.
 
 
Reproduced from The Macquarie Globe
06 Mar 2008
Edition 10, 2008
www.international.mq.edu.au/globe

 

Contact: Skaidy Gulbis

Phone: 9850 4774