International Women’s Day should be supported more than once a year

Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women’s equality. Celebrate women’s achievements. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity. IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere.

International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 8th March and is a global day celebrating all the aspects and achievements of women.

When we inspire others to understand and value women, we forge a better world.

And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive world for women.

Young women urgently need more support

Jessica Brown founder of The Warrior Woman Foundation, says, “While International Women’s Day is about recognising women from all backgrounds all over the world for their achievements, more focus needs to be placed on nurturing our young women to achieve this kind of success”, says Jessica Brown,

“One day a year is simply not enough, while young women struggle year-round”.

Homelessness among vulnerable young women is a major concern for Jess, with around 28,200 young people aged 12–24 years estimated to have been experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2021, making up nearly a quarter (23%) of the total homeless population (ABS 2023).

There is also growing concern around loneliness and a lack of community among young Australian women.

Mental health issues in young women in Australia are also at horrifying levels, 45% of women aged 16-24 reported experiencing a mental disorder within the last 12 months, compared to 32.4% of males.

“While we see this new generation of women moving towards having a stronger voice, and standing up for their rights, they must be supported and nurtured to be able to enter the world as independent young adults”, adds Jess.

According to the Status of Women Report Card published by the Australian Government, when it comes to the basics such as health, housing, and safety, it seems there is still more work to be done to help empower women. This report card highlights that women are more prone than males to develop eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Jessica Brown says this needs to change.

Jessica’s Warrior Woman Foundation works to assist under-represented vulnerable young Australian women to become resilient, independent and capable of taking their place in the world. Jessica’s goal is for every Australian woman to achieve independence so that they have the confidence to take charge of earning and managing their own money, plan for future economic security, and protect themselves from financial abuse.

Women supporting women. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!

Not Just One Day, but every single day.

Here at The Healthy Mummy, we are all about supporting women and empowering them to be healthy and strong. We want to celebrate women’s achievements every single day! Not just one day a year.

We have an extraordinary community of women, that support each other daily, and take time to celebrate each other’s achievements big and small. It’s a community where friendships are forged and women lean on each other to help them get one step closer to their health goals. Connections are built and family bonds created.

For International Women’s day, we asked our AMAZING community of mums to tell us what it means to them to be a strong woman.

Read their empowering words below….

Melissa Timmer shares,

“For me, it’s standing in your own two shoes the feeling of empowerment is what it says for me, being an independent woman and being content on my own.

Not relying on others or waiting for someone to do things for me but taking a chance and learning and experiencing things I thought I might not be capable of.
Being a boss, being a mum, being a friend, a sister, and a daughter, all those things are worth the world and I’m so grateful for being a woman.

I inspire my daughter every day by teaching her how to get the best out of herself, letting her do things on her so she can learn, showing her the absolute joy she can have out of life, and giving her a good balance of love, work, fun and realistic expectations.“

Amy Melillo shares,

“Us women are far more capable and powerful than we think or give ourselves credit for. International Women’s Day serves as a reminder to celebrate our strengths and potential.”

Amy adds, “To my Daughter; you are strong, capable, and deserving of every opportunity. Work hard and stay committed, you can achieve anything.”

Tahnee Anderson shares,

“Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”

Grace Young shares,

“As a mother of a young daughter who has special needs, I empower my daughter daily, I help guide her so that she feels included and a part of her community. It’s so important that we guide our children to feel connected to the world around them. International Women’s Day has a tremendous meaning that we support all women to feel connected and to lift each other up.”

Bernie Fanning shares,

“My daughter Skylah inspires me every single day. She has empowered me to be the woman I am today. Despite special needs, she thrives in so many ways. Always ready for a workout with me. Sharing my lived experience of mental illness is my proudest accomplishment. Letting other mums know they are not alone.”

Gemma Corey shares,

“I love this brave new world that I am raising my daughter in! While I have not suffered the same indignities and hardships as the strong female pioneers before me, at best I have been ignored or devalued, at worst, harassed or discriminated against, for being a woman, wife and a mother.

While there is still a way to go – I am so proud that she will grow up in a world where these actions are no longer tolerated and are being called out publicly! She will be able to be her authentic self, enjoying a world that is working towards equality!”

Tara Elso shares,

“I teach my daughter to be strong independent and push herself to the limits, she can do anything she sets her mind to. I show her how to eat healthy and she loves following in her mum’s footsteps. Does squats, eats rice paper rolls, and loves a Healthy Mummy Smoothie. We do so much stuff together, and I love the mother-daughter bond we have.”

Tan Louise shares,

“I love inspiring my daughters to be the best versions of themselves! I think it’s so important for us Women to have a voice and be heard as for many years this hasn’t been recognised! I believe that women are strong, compassionate, empathetic, capable & resilient and anything is possible if we believe in ourselves!”

Krista Hatzakortzian shares,

“I not only love inspiring my daughter to be the best she can in this sometimes cruel world. By continuing to break the barriers in the workforce faced by women by supporting and motivating my staff and peers through mentorship programs.”

Renee Judd shares,

“I love supporting my daughter in all that she does, constantly inspiring her to reach for the stars. We are a team….on a journey to succeed, there is nothing out of reach…. somethings may just take longer to achieve, but through love and support anything is possible.”

Jacqueline Yole shares,

“Times have changed for the better! As women, we are being appreciated and valued for what we do, not how we look.

We are capable of truly amazing things. We are strong, brave and driven! I am so grateful for the role models that have guided, supported and nurtured me to be the woman I am today, my aunts, teachers, cousins, siblings, grandmothers, my Mum.

I am teaching my daughter to stand on her own two feet, to call out injustices around her and to love fiercely! The biggest lesson I want to instill in her is that kindness is key! We do not know the road that others walk. We MUST build each other up – We are stronger together!”

Claire Ellen shares,

“My mother is my biggest role model and I aim to be the best role model I can be for my 2 daughters. Empowerment can come from within or from connecting with others that, motivate, support, inspire and care unconditionally about your wellbeing. We are all worthy and should celebrate how fantastically unique we all are. Stronger together when we support one another.”

Fi Redding shares,

“As a mum to a little girl I’m trying to be the amazing role model to her that my mum was and is to me. She supports me, encourages me, inspires me, and this is how I want to bring my daughter up. Not only my mum but also surrounding myself with like-minded women who respect, celebrate and champion each other.

We are stronger when we support and empower each other.”

Kate Bain shares,

“I inspire other women by living by one simple rule “Treat others how you would like to be treated”. I love to do little things to bless others in my daily life, from a coffee shout at work, to giving a colleague a hug when she’s had a bad day, or doing some baking for the office or a friend.

As a Mum of two young girls, one of my biggest hopes for them is that they become strong and independent young women in the future. And it is my job to lead them there, and that can be a very scary thought!

In our day-to-day lives there are many things I try to implement to help them become those strong women. Each evening at dinner we do a “highlight of the day” and a “thankful of the day”, because a strong woman looks for the positives in life and shows gratitude for things she has.

I empower them to have choice and agency over their hobbies and interests (within reason of course). If they want to try a new sport or group they can, as long as they finish any current commitments first so they are not letting down teammates or coaches. If they want to try a new activity at home, I help them to research it and find the best way to do it. Because a strong woman has commitment but also is able to make her own decisions.

I take moments throughout the week to thank my girls for their help, for showing care to each other, to tell them what I love about them, to explain my reasons for decisions I make. Because a strong woman builds other women up, and I want to lead by example.

I also teach them to live by the motto “Treat others how you want to be treated”. Spreading love and kindness in the world is just one way to embody a strong woman and it is something so simple to do. I hope that when my girls grow up they continue to live by this motto and show the world that kindness is a form of strength.”

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