International Women's Day 2026 - Balance the Scales

Did you know it was IWD? Of course you did! Madeleine Cox explains all.

Today, 8 March 2026, is International Women’s Day. UN Women Australia announced ‘Balance the Scales’ as the official theme for IWD 2026, highlighting the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl. Contrast this with the theme of ‘Give to Gain’ announced by IWD which claims that it represents the ‘global IWD community’.

*Source: https://unwomen.org.au/un-women-australia-announces-2026-international-womens-day-theme-balance-the-scales/*

The first IWD was held long ago in 1911 where it was marked by over a million people across Europe. This followed demands by women for the right to vote and hold public office, as well as protests against employment sex discrimination. Is the world a fairer, safer place for women than it was back in 1911? Spending time with some of these books may help to clear things up.

Did you know English writer Elspeth Huxley in her 1939 book ‘Red Strangers’ wrote of female circumcision? This book was only published after she refused to make cuts requested by the publisher, Macmillan. And yes, Elspeth Huxley is the cousin of the more widely known English writer and author Aldous Huxley. Elspeth Huxley also happened to write about Australia in ‘Their Shining Eldorado: A Journey through Australia’.

To celebrate women’s strength, love and hope in the face of adversity, if you wish, go see Theatre 180’s production of 21 Hearts: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke. According to reports, it’s immersive and intense, yet beautifully told.

And for those left wondering if there is an IMD, an International Men’s Day (IMD), there is. IMD was first conceived in 1992 in Kansas, USA and IMD will be held this year on 19 November. An Australian organisation sponsored by Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation has announced this year’s theme as ‘The Future is Everyone’.

By Madeleine Cox

* Madeleine Cox was raised on a farm on Bindjareb Noongar country and now, together with her New Zealand/Aotearoa husband, lives with their children in Fremantle/Walyalup. She loves exploring places and ideas, and connecting with people and nature. This has compelled Madeleine to start writing independently, after many years work as a corporate and government lawyer, and service on not-for-profit boards in the health and education sectors.

~ For more articles by Madeleine Cox on FSN, look here.

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