In this issue, The Westsider’s focus is on ‘Women of the West’, to tie in with International Women’s Day on March 8. There will be several events held celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women in the west throughout March (see pages 3 – Lynn Jacob, Community Walk, page 4 – Break the Bias, page 8 – Khalida Dawran, Women’s day events).
2022 International Women’s Day theme is a call to #breakthebias and action for accelerating gender parity. That is, calling for a community free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A community that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A community where difference is valued and celebrated.
More than seventy-five percent of this issue is made possible by a diverse range of women from, Melbourne’s western suburbs, who generously contributed their valuable time.
#breakthebias is about recognising the myriad of volunteer roles and unpaid work women take on, in many cases, with an expectation it will be done without acknowledgment or appreciation of the sacrifice of their time. What are the consequences in the community if women do speak out and, call for equality to avoid things like burnout?
This month, The Westsider features an array of amazing women of the west including the talented multi-instrumentalist Lynn Jacob, women’s activist and recent Afghan refugee Khalida Dawran and small women business owners from Spotswood Village.
In this fast moving, dynamic area of equality; “We must learn that as long as we hold fast to our beliefs and values – and follow our own moral compass – then the only expectations we need to live up to are our own.” Michelle Obama
