Australia Connects Girls to Inspiring Futures This International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day (IWD), a talk show hosted by the Australian Government Aid program (AusAID) in partnership with Gadis Magazine will connect 150 female secondary students to inspirational women.

Opened by Indonesia’s Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Ibu Linda Amalia Gumelar, the talk show will be held on 8 March, in Theatre Kecil, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, from 2 - 4pm.

Moderated by radio presenter Sarah Gadrie, talk show panellists include news anchor and Australian Development Scholarship recipient Najwa Shihab, singer and writer Dee Lestari, the head of The Body Shop in Indonesia Suzy Hutomo and the wife of the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Sara Moriarty.

“This International Women’s Day, inspirational and successful Indonesian and Australian women will be sharing their career successes, challenges and lessons learnt with young Indonesian women about to embark on their careers,” said the head of AusAID in Indonesia, Jacqui De Lacy.

“The talk show is designed to create an environment where female secondary school students are encouraged to dream big.”

“AusAID is committed to increasing the opportunities and wellbeing of women in Indonesia. These IWD events are a celebration of Australia’s aid program as a whole, an aid program that recognises gender equality as an integral part of effective and sustainable development here in Indonesia,” concluded Ms De Lacy.

AusAID IWD celebrations also include a photography exhibition of Indonesian women involved in AusAID projects and a marketplace for women’s organisations.

The talk show is in support of the global 2012 IWD theme ‘connecting girls, inspiring futures’.

Media enquiries:
Mia Salim – AusAID public affairs manager – 08121 070 237
Clare Price – AusAID public affairs officer – 08111 872 365