International Women’s Day: First Nations Women and Girls

8 March

International Women’s Day is observed each year on 8 March. It is a global day for women’s rights and gender equality. At Buy First Nations, it is also an opportunity to recognise the leadership, knowledge and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls.

A global day with a First Nations focus

This is not an observance specific to First Nations peoples. Its inclusion here creates space to centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women within a broader conversation, while recognising that experiences and priorities differ between people and communities.

Recognition should reach beyond a single image of leadership. Women contribute as Elders, carers, educators, artists, advocates, business owners and in many other roles, including work that is rarely publicly acknowledged. Celebrating achievement can sit alongside a serious examination of whose voices shape decisions and whose work is properly valued.

Listening to women’s own priorities

Wiyi Yani U Thangani, meaning Women’s Voices, offers a substantial reading pathway. Led through the Australian Human Rights Commission, the project gathered the experiences and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls through engagements across the country.

The resulting report and later work address rights, wellbeing, safety and the conditions needed for women and girls to thrive. It is a useful starting point because it asks readers to engage with women’s own accounts and proposed solutions, rather than assuming an outside organisation already knows the answers.

Putting recognition into practice

In a school or workplace, review who is invited to lead, whose expertise is paid for and whose contributions appear in everyday learning. A panel or morning tea can be worthwhile, but its value depends on the relationships and decisions around it. Choose speakers because of their expertise, agree the scope of their contribution and avoid asking one person to represent all First Nations women.

Consider a reading group using a section of Wiyi Yani U Thangani, a display featuring properly attributed work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, or a discussion about practical changes to participation and opportunity. Keep activities appropriate to learners’ ages and the local context.

Use the United Nations and UN Women for current international campaign information. Themes are year-specific; a previous year’s slogan should not be presented as the theme for a future event. Local First Nations priorities can guide meaningful work throughout the year.

Sources and further reading

The resources below provide historical records, First Nations perspectives and pathways for further learning. Some historical material contains names and images of deceased people, outdated language or distressing content. Follow the guidance provided by each publisher.

Online sources and longer reading

International Women’s Day. United Nations. Official background and current global observance information.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day

Wiyi Yani U Thangani: Aboriginal Women’s Voices. Australian Human Rights Commission. Overview of the engagement process and the project’s focus on women’s and girls’ own voices.
https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/campaigns/first-nations/wiyi-yani-u-thangani-womens

Wiyi Yani U Thangani Report (2020). Australian Human Rights Commission. Longer reading on the rights, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls.
https://humanrights.gov.au/resource-hub/human-rights/wiyi-yani-u-thangani

Our related products and resources

For further learning, explore the sources above and choose resources appropriate to your setting. Our book collection and information for schools and organisations provide additional browsing pathways. Check each item’s description for its specific subject, authorship and suitability.