I was sitting in the 1233 ABC Newcastle studios the other day being interviewed for International Women’s Day (IWD) as an ambassador for UNIFEM. On the telephone in Sydney, also being interviewed was Sue Conde AM, President of the organisation.
International Women’s Day, held on March 8th, was a day to recognise and celebrate women’s achievements but also to reflect on their continuing vulnerability to violence.
The IWD theme for 2009 was UNite to End Violence against Women.
UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies that promote women’s human rights, political participation and economic security in more than 100 countries.
Nicole Kidman, Goodwill Ambassador for UNIFEM, launched the Say NO to Violence campaign in April last year. The campaign collected over 5 million signatures which were presented to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last year on the 25th November, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Sue and I were chatting away with Carol Duncan, the presenter of the day shift on 1233, when Carol asked the question: ‘What difference would my signature make?’
And that’s the crux of the matter. It doesn’t matter if it’s a signature to save the local pool, a decision to coach the kid’s soccer team or a donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal – we want to know that what we do, that what we give, will make a difference.
Making a difference is a strategic priority for UNIFEM Australia and it organised more than 50 events around Australia for International Women's Day. Many women (and men) who attended these events have learned of the work of UNIFEM in our Pacific region and in south-east Asia.
Proceeds raised from IWD 2009 will be directed towards the implementation of a successful project recently piloted in Fiji. UNIFEM Pacific’s ‘Market Project’ aims to improve conditions in rural marketplaces and increase women’s participation in the management of these markets. Trading in fresh food markets can be the only opportunity for many women in the Pacific to participate in the urban economy.
Figures suggest that 85% of market vendors are women with 75% coming from rural areas. Travelling to these markets can be risky to women’s personal safety and, in some cases, hazardous for their small children.
As a mother of young children myself this fact was particularly meaningful. In the West we don’t go anywhere without a bag, weighted with kiddie supplies: food, drinks, sunscreen, hat, change of clothes – the list is endless. Having to travel long distances with young children, probably on foot or in an overloaded truck (no air-conditioned Prado’s available) and then having to sit with them all day in a hot, dusty market with no access to clean water or amenities brought home to me how hard it can be for women in our region to boost their household income.
As part of its increased support to UNIFEM, the Australian Government announced on Sunday that it will provide more than $17 million over four years.
Commenting on the contribution, Conde said: "UNIFEM Australia recognises that it is important that the member states of the United Nations demonstrate their commitment to women, as Australia has shown today by this significant contribution to advance gender equality and empower women.”
For women around the world, International Women’s Day was a time to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful difference, both here and overseas.

Sara Donald is a member of UNIFEM [www.unifem.org.au]