This is hard to write about – because like life and medicine, the topic is complicated and complex.

For most women throughout the world many challenges still exist – from rising inequality in this country to the near total subjugation of women under the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Australia does have a national Strategy that outlines a vision for gender equality. Below is the report card for 2024.

https://www.pmc.gov.au/office-women/working-women-strategy-gender-equality

However, in Australia, high rates of violence, a growing gender pay gap and public attitudes are still just some of the many challenges Australia faces in its ongoing fight for gender equality.

With respect to the substantial gap which remains for the gender pay gap in this country:

https://www.wgea.gov.au/publications/australias-gender-equality-scorecard

The American chapter of MWIA, AMWA, has recently published a position paper “A Commitment to Gender Equity in Medicine: An American Medical Women’s Association Position Paper” which addresses amongst other things the gender pay gap in medicine in their country.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39878618/

As to the big national events, celebrating IWD, what of their inaccessibility for many working women, the cost of events and how exclusive they so often are? And always one needs to have ready a response ready for the “Whataboutisms“, the strategy of deflecting the conversation away from women and make it about others. There is always the person who asks what about Men’s Day (In case you are asked it is on 19th November).

Batman and Robin cartoon with quote — Image: @uamemesforces

It would be great to hear others’ thoughts about IWD and especially the innovative and inclusive ways our members are choosing to commemorate it this year. I know that ACT and Region MWS will hold their annual cocktail party and celebrate IWD next week. Our attempts to keep it inclusive is to ensure it is a free gig for medical students.

At the very least I want us to continue to make a fervent commitment to a more equal and just world for all women.