International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated globally each year on 8 March. It's an important day to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls. Across our schools, workplaces and wider education community, we strive to achieve gender equality, creating positive environments where everyone can succeed and maximise their own individual potential.
IWD is celebrated during Queensland Women's Week.
Each year, across the department, we hold a range of other events and activities to support the day.
For departmental staff, search 'International Women's Day' on OnePortal.
Queensland Women's Week
Held annually,
Queensland Women's Week is an expansion of IWD, providing for a week long, statewide celebration of the achievements of Queensland women and girls.
It’s everyone’s job to make things fair for men and women in Queensland. Find out what you can do to create a
gender equal Queensland.
Resources for schools
Each IWD, United Nations (UN) Women Australia releases free IWD resources for primary and secondary schools.
IWD for students includes:
- free access to the full line up of UN Women Australia IWD events
- school kits that include inspirational stories of women leaders from across the world and ideas for classroom activities.
Visit the
UN Women Australia's website to find out how women and girls have helped shape a more equal future.
Department of Education Pathways to Parity workforce strategy
When students are understood and have role models like them, they have the best chance of succeeding. Our workforce is pivotal to accomplishing this, as students form gender stereotypes based on their observation of role models within the school environment. Creating inclusive, gender balanced workplaces is vital to delivering inclusive educational services and a better future for all Queenslanders.
The department aims to provide workplaces where all employees have the same rights, access and opportunities to employment and career pathways, enabling them to balance work and life commitments and participate fully in our workplaces.
For more information, access our
Equity and Diversity Plan and
Pathways to Parity workforce strategy (PDF, 1.2MB).
Other initiatives and programs