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1 August 2024
AGW 2023 September Newsletter
Dear Members, I would like to share with you all some reflections from Professor Shirley Randell and my attendance at the 67th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in March this year. The priority theme of ‘Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls’ was explored. A range of Australian government delegates such as the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy and the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins were also present. Secretary General Antonio Guterres opened the event by outlining that, if we take account of women from all over the world, gender equality is still 300 years away. This opening set the scene for the rest of the conference by emphasising the work still required to achieve gender equality globally. A number of global presidents also made some key speeches, and the discussions continued to focus on gender equality in the digital age. To read more, Download: AGW 2023 September Newsletter
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24 July 2024
AGW Annual General Report
President’s Report Professor Jaya Dantas President Dear Members I hope you all have had a wonderful start to 2024 and I wish you all a productive year. It gives me pleasure to present my report at the 2023 AGM, on activities from July 2022 to June 2023. Our AGM this year was delayed and we were provided an extension by Fair Trading NSW until the end of February 2023. The impacts on women are greater than ever with significant challenges due to global conflicts, rise in cost of living, changes in the nature of employment, and climate changes, all of which impact women. Thus, the importance of higher education for women remains paramount and uncontested. We extend our thanks to those of you who have already committed your membership for the 2023-24 year, and to those who will renew in the near future. Your ongoing support and commitment to AGW is both appreciated and necessary for our Association to continue leading the conversation and initiatives in higher education. I thank Dr Iryna Khodos (AGW Secretary), Dr Zeny Edwards OAM (AGW CIR) and Alison Hayden (AGW treasurer) for their work and support during the year. I also thank the AGW council. I share some highlights of the year, and I encourage you to take a look at our website. Download AGW Annual General Report
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24 July 2024
AGW July 2024 Newsletter
Dear Members, Welcome to the latest addition of our newsletter. It has been a while since I communicated with you and the last few months have been a period of intense activity and work for me. I share a few of the events that I have been part of. In early February 2024, I attended the meeting of Women in Global Health, Australia in Melbourne and we had a panel session with women health leaders from the Mekong region (Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia). I had the privilege of traveling to India in late February with the West Australian Minister for Health, the Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson on a Health Skilling Delegation representing my university. In March, Prof Shirley Randell, AO and myself, traveled to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) and had a wonderful 10 days, meeting with Graduate Women International delegates, Australian and other women participants from around the world. We attach our power point report to this newsletter, and it has an overview of our time at CSW68. In April, I launched my research on Ukrainian displaced people in Perth and you can find more about the project at Project Launch – Fleeing the war across oceans (photovoiceproject.com.au). The report was launched by Federal Member of Parliament for Swan, WA – Zaneta Mascarenhas and highlights the challenges faced by displaced people during an ongoing war in its third year. The project was funded by Healthway and Lotterywest. My ongoing research on Family and Domestic Violence, also funded by Healthway, is having an impact and in May and June, I have presented to community, media, the police and two Parliamentary Enquiries on Children and Youth with a focus on refugee youth and Financial Abuse. During May 2024, we also awarded AGW fellowships to three outstanding PhD scholars, we share details further in the newsletter. In the last few weeks as a nation, we have reflected on Refugee week (June 16 – 23) and celebrated NAIDOC week (July 7 -14) . During Refugee week we recognise the difficult and perilous journeys of those who flee war and seek a new life in Australia. During Naidoc week we celebrate Indigenous people and their Elders as the oldest culture on the planet. I encourage all our members to read a few more of our updates, renew their membership and invite friends and family to join too. Thank you all for your ongoing support and I wish you a healthy winter season. With warm wishes Professor Jaya Dantas President – Australian Graduate Women To read more, Download AGW 2024 July Newsletter
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12 July 2023
AGW Newsletter Mother’s Day
Each year ‘Mother’s Day’ is celebrated in most countries on the second Sunday in May. On this day Families, pay special tribute to mothers all over the world. Being a mother is hard work, it can be exhausting, relentless and sometimes the hardest thing in the world. Yet, it is also one of the most beautiful, fulfilling and rewarding aspect of a woman’s life. Mothers also come in many form and roles – as a carers, as aunts, as those away for their children, those in war zones, those in difficult situations, thos in leadership positions and making an impact in all walks of life. AGW remains steadfast in out commitment to champion higher education of women and girls so that women everywhere can reach their full potential. Here is a poem that we would like to share M-O-T-H-E-R “M” is for the million things mums do for their children & families; “O” means that she’s growing older and wider; “T” is the tears she sheds for her children and family; “H” is for her heart that is pure and selfless; “E” is for her eyes, that shine with love and warmth; “R” means she’s resilient, as she speaks from experience. Put together the letters spell “MOTHER,” a word that has a special meaning for all around the world. We salute all women, wishes to all members.
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8 March 2023
International Women’s Day Wishes – Newsletter 1 – 2023
International Women’s Day Wishes Dear Members, On behalf of the Australian Women Executive (Dr Zeny Edwards, Dr Iryna Khodos, Alison Hayden and myself), I wish you all a Happy International Women’s Day. Prof Shirley Randell AO and past CIR of AGW and myself are currently attending the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in New York. It has been three intense days at CSW67 that reflect the many challenges women around the world face and a deep feeling of immense gratitude for the privileges and freedoms we enjoy in Australia. Over the next two weeks, participants from across the world – including representatives from governments, the UN, civil society and youth groups, as well as activists – will examine how gender equality, empowerment and sustainable development can be achieved in the digital era. In her opening remarks, CSW67 Chair Mathu Joyini from South Africa, said although digital technologies are rapidly transforming societies, they are also giving rise to profound new challenges that may perpetuate and deepen existing gender inequalities. “Gender-based discrimination is a systemic problem that has been interwoven into the fabric of our political, social and economic lives, and the technology sector is no different,” she said. UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the CSW is meeting as progress on women’s rights is vanishing – including in countries such as Afghanistan, where women and girls have been, in effect, erased from public life – and as gender equality is growing ever more distant. “Your focus this year on closing gender gaps in technology and innovation could not be more timely. Because as technology races ahead, women and girls are being left behind,” he said. As gender inequality is ultimately a question of power, the Secretary-General called for urgent action in three areas, starting with increasing education, income and employment for women and girls, particularly in the Global South. The Secretary-General stressed that promoting women’s full contributions to science, technology and innovation is not an act of charity or a favour to women, but a “must” that benefits everyone. “The Commission on the Status of Women is a catalyst for the transformation we need. Together, let’s push back against the push back on misogyny, and forward for women, girls, and our world,” he said. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, was among other senior officials who addressed the CSW opening ceremony. She said the digital revolution offers the potential for unprecedented improvement in the lives of women and girls, and at a time when progress towards sustainable development is at risk. She expressed confidence that the meeting will underscore that “digital rights are women’s rights”. We will share a detailed report on our return and include some pictures from our first three days at CSW67. Warm wishes Professor Jaya DantasPresident, AGW AGW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and pay our respects to their elders past and present.
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15 December 2022
AGW Newsletter #3 (2022)
We reflect back on this tumultuous year, welcoming the AGW executive team for the triennium (2022-2025): Professor Jaya Dantas – President; Alison Hayden – Treasurer; Dr Zeny Edwards – CIR; and Dr Iryna Khodos – Secretary. We also recount our Centenary Celebrations, including the Distinguished Panel Webinar, as well as the AGW Centenary Scholarships. Twenty AGW members are eligible to attend the Commission on the Status of Women (New York from 6 to 17 March 2023), details are in the newsletter.
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