This year's International Women's Day theme, Inspiring Inclusion, is a timely reminder of the role that we all play each day to ensure fairness and equality. Actively taking steps to understand, value and seek out the inclusion of women and girls creates a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment for women everywhere. See how some of our staff at CatholicCare Wollongong are Inspiring Inclusion below.

Natasa Farina – People & Culture Business Partner

1. What does the theme for International Women's Day 2024, Inspire Inclusion, mean to you?

For me, inclusion is a value I hold strongly and therefore it has made it extra easy to relate to the theme this year for IWD.

For someone that was born overseas and lives in Australia, I hold privilege to embrace inclusion and diversity at work and in my personal life despite their race, age or how they may identify.

As tennis champion Serena Williams says, "Every woman's success should be an inspiration to another. We're strongest when we cheer each other on."

2. What are some things that you do in your day-to-day that inspires inclusion?

Working in the People & Culture space – I'm able to educate and empower our leaders to think critically on the importance of inclusion and having women from different backgrounds who feel valued and therefore work in a positive working culture. We constantly are looking for ways on how to retain and develop our diverse talent across CatholicCare's unique and broad range of services offered.

3. What advice would you give to others to help them inspire inclusion?

The best piece of advice I'd give is to just start to have those conversations in your everyday life. Whether it's at home or at work, sharing the knowledge that you have is so important. In the workplace, providing women with the tools to help them excel in their role and career not only creates a more skilled workforce, but also provides a positive work culture. At CatholicCare Wollongong, we provide paid study leave to support the upskilling of our team.

Conor Plataniotis – IT Systems Analyst

1. What does the theme for International Women's Day 2024, Inspire Inclusion, mean to you?

The theme "Inspire Inclusion" resonates with me professionally and personally. In the workplace, it emphasises the celebration of diversity, ensuring empowerment and value for women from various backgrounds. On a personal level, it underscores the need to break societal barriers, fostering belonging for women in all aspects of life. It's a call to action for everyone to play a role in building a society where every woman's story is heard and valued.

2. What are some things that you do in your day-to-day that inspires inclusion?

In my daily life, I try to keep things inclusive in simple ways. I make sure to listen to everyone's opinions, especially those who might not always speak up. Whether it's in meetings or just chatting with friends, I encourage people to share their thoughts and experiences.

I also try to learn about different cultures and backgrounds, not only because it's interesting but because it helps me understand where others are coming from. Whether it's celebrating different holidays or just trying new foods, I think these little things can make a big difference in bringing people together.

3. What advice would you give to others to help them inspire inclusion?

On International Women's Day, fostering inclusion means appreciating the diverse contributions of women worldwide. Embrace their varied experiences, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for policies that empower women. Leading by example, encourage open dialogue and collaboration to create an inclusive environment that celebrates the unique strengths of each woman. By promoting gender equality, we honour women's achievements and work towards a more equitable future.

Emily Lim – Families and Communities Program Team Leader / Counsellor

1. What does the theme for International Women's Day 2024, Inspire Inclusion, mean to you?

This year's theme, Inspiring Inclusion, is a reminder that gender equality is something that everybody has a role in. We all should be inspiring each other in small, everyday ways, to push for and achieve gender equality.

2. What are some things that you do in your day-to-day that inspires inclusion?

As a team leader and counsellor, I work with families and individuals who are experiencing tough challenges. Because of that, I often reflect on my own biases to avoid any unconscious bias. It's important to reflect and be as self-aware as possible, so that I can create safe and welcoming spaces. I respect every individual I encounter, ensure that I am inclusive of those around me and seek continuous feedback to keep a check on any blind spots or unconscious biases.

3. What advice would you give to others to help them inspire inclusion?

Inspiring inclusion means being a role model for inclusive behaviour. It's really important that you remain open to trying new ways of doing things, being flexible to adapt new ways of thinking, and creating new opportunities for people to ensure that everybody is included.