Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and therefore half of its potential (UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, 2015).
The imperative to achieve gender equality is essential for social progress and a healthier and more prosperous world. It is difficult to comprehend that in 2022 Australia was ranked 43rd in the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index – a measure of the gap between men and women based on four key indicators (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Health and Survival, Educational Attainment, Political Empowerment). In 2006 we were 15th and 50th in 2021. Everyone has a vital role to play in addressing this poor performance.
The United Nations (UN) theme for the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) is ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future’. It arises from the UN 67th Commission on the Status of Women, highlighting the important role of technologies and innovation in improving opportunities for women globally.
An important part of this is accessibility to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) opportunities as we navigate technological advancements. At schools like Camberwell Girls, all girls have opportunities to engage in these subjects through curricular and co-curricular programs. STEM curriculum is taught from Foundation through to Year 12. Our students across Junior School and Secondary School also have access to our MakerSpace and engage in innovation challenges. Last year teams worked in this space over many lunchtimes designing, testing and constructing props for Matilda the Musical.
Yet not all girls and young women are as fortunate as many don’t have equal access to technology. The UN has highlighted the widening digital gender gap resulting in increasing economic and social inequalities. By focussing on increasing greater access for girls and women, the UN argues that there will be greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.
This year we are very fortunate to have old grammarian Sarah Boyd join us for our IWD breakfast. Sarah is Founder and Principal of The Gender Agency, ‘transforming the Gender Status Quo in international development, peace, conflict and humanitarian affairs’. She studied at Harvard Kennedy School in the USA as a Fullbright Scholar and has now returned home to Melbourne. I hope that you will be able to join us for this special occasion.
On IWD our secondary students have the opportunity to work with an organisation called Days for Girls making feminine hygiene kits in our MakerSpace for girls in developing countries who are menstruating so that they can attend school. We have undertaken this activity on IWD with Days for Girls for approximately six years and it provides an opportunity for students and staff to work together for others.
We will also be taking the opportunity on IWD to formally launch 3600 of Being, our bespoke wellbeing program that commences in Early Learning 3 and concludes in Year 12. Each of our programs is designed within our five domains of:
This project has been led by Kath Woolcock, our Head of Senior School along with many wellbeing and pastoral staff over a number of years. Kath also manages another 13 schools in our area as a lead for the Victorian Government Respectful Relationships initiative, a role she has had since 2017.
With best wishes,
Debbie Dunwoody
Principal
