International Women's Day 2018

Against the odds, women have created incredible change over the past 100 years. This International Women’s Day, join us in celebrating the global women’s movement by voting for the moment of feminist leadership that has inspired you most. Women's leadership, like women ourselves, comes in many forms. Recognise the moments that have shaped our lives, and the diverse women who gave so much to make them happen.

Closer to the Day, we'll highlight the moments that resonated the most, and share some you may have missed.

Vote for a moment

Featured moments

1985
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International Women's Development Agency forms
Over 30 years ago, International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) was founded by Wendy Rose, Ruth Pfanner and Wendy Poussard, based on the conviction that women should initiate, influence and improve development policy.
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2017
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New forums on women's rights take off in Asia Pacific
In 2017 we saw women's rights forums lauching across the Asia Pacific, including the Pacific Feminist Forum and the We Rise Coalition Forum in Fiji, the Jiwaka Women's Forum in Papua New Guinea, the Young Women's Leadership Forum and Women's Human Rights Defender Forum in Bougainvi
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2014
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First openly transgender person nominated for an Emmy
Laverne Cox, US actress and activist, becomes the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy Award, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Orange is the New Black. She also becomes the first transgender person to feature on the cover of TIME.
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1922
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Japan establishes first women's rights organisation
After founding an all-women literary magazine in 1911, Raichō Hiratsuka co-founds the New Women’s Association, which was instrumental in overturning the Japanese government’s ban on women joining political organisations or holding political meetings.
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1918
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Women in the UK given the right to vote
For the first time, women are granted the equal right to vote; though only if they're over the age of 30. Ten years later, a final Act passes that lets women over the age of 21 vote, in line with the age requirements for men.
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2018
Iceland makes gender pay gap illegal
Iceland becomes the first country to make the gender pay gap illegal.
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2018
300 women's rights activists launch TIME'S UP
A collective of 300 women from the US film, television and theatre industries launch the TIME'S UP campaign, calling times up on harassment, marginalisation and under-representation of women in eve
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2018
Australia launches a women's AFL league
An eight-team AFL league for women launches to much fanfare, and for the first time, women are shown playing professional AFL on network television.
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2017
Women's March becomes largest single-day protest in history
American women lead the Women's March in the wake of President Trump's inauguration.
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2017
New forums on women's rights take off in Asia Pacific
In 2017 we saw women's rights forums lauching across the Asia Pacific, including the Pacific Feminist Forum and the We Rise Coalition Forum in Fiji, the Jiwaka Women's Forum in Papua New
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2017
Family Court grants young trans people access to hormone treatment
The Australian Family Court rules that young people experiencing gender dysphoria can legally able to undergo hormone treatment.
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2016
Timor-Leste doubles the number of women Village Chiefs
Timor-Leste's village election doubles the number of women Village Chiefs – 21 women were elected. Many more women were elected Hamlet Chiefs or women’s representatives to Village Councils.
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2016
United Nations adopts resolution to protect those with diverse sexual and gender identities
In a landmark decision, the United Nations Human Rights Council apponts an independent expert to investigate how they can protect against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation, an
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2016
Solomon Islands passes Family Protection Act
Solomon Islands launches its first ever Family Protection Act. For the first time, domestic violence is explicitly outlawed.
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2016
The first Australian-Myanmar MP mentoring program launches
IWDA collaborated with Akhaya Women in Myanmar to match aspiring and newly elected women politicians with Australian mentors who have spent their careers in politics.
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2016
Solomon Islands pilots the first mobile counselling services for women
IWDA partner Family Support Centre launches a mobile counselling service based in rural communities that will service more of the country than ever before.
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2016
Australia elects first Indigenous woman MP
Linda Burney becomes the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the Australian House of Representatives, representing the seat of Barton, NSW.
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