Speeches
Thursday, 27 February 2025
Committee for Adelaide IWD Breakfast
I am pleased to join the Committee for Adelaide and its broader community, once again, to mark International Women’s Day.
As patron, I am pleased to support the committee’s role as an important advocate on economic issues, as well as social and community ones.
As Governor, supporting gender equity is one of my priorities, and witnessing and supporting the advancement of women in our society is a source of great satisfaction.
Last week Rod and I attended the Flinders University STEM Enrichment Conference, meeting year 9 girls from various South Australian schools at work in new laboratories.
Through a series of hands-on workshops, mentorship and industry tours, the Academy enables students to imagine a future for themselves in STEM.
Last week I also hosted at Government House the graduation ceremony of ‘Pathways to Politics for Women’.
Delivered by the University of Adelaide, this program supports women gain the skills needed to pursue political careers.
Engagements like these demonstrate an admirable commitment to women’s advancement, both in the university sector and beyond.
This year’s IWD theme, set by UN Women Australia, is ‘March Forward: Turning Promises into Progress’.
And that is what I saw at these recent engagements - girls and women being given practical opportunities to move towards their desired goals.
Of course, there is still some way to go in our nation’s journey to gender equity.
A range of economic and social disparities continue to have a significant impact on women in Adelaide and beyond.
For example, reporting this month show that, in 2024, just 2 per cent of total capital raised in Australia went to all-female founded startups, and just 15 per cent of investments went to startups with at least one woman in the founding team.
If we all commit to turning words into action, however we can, measurable progress can be made.
I thank our panellists for their participation today, as well as Committee for Adelaide staff for coordinating this event.
Thank you to our audience for supporting the Committee as members and sponsors, and I’m pleased to see proceeds from today benefiting the Zahra Foundation, of which I am also patron.
I wish you a meaningful International Women’s Day, and I look forward to working with you all as we continue to pursue gender equality in South Australia.