IWD2021 at The University of Melbourne

Women in leadership:
Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world

Women stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organisers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry.

This year’s theme for the International Day, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Women have been making important contributions to the University of Melbourne for over 150 years. IWD 2021 gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the determination and resilience of those women who paved the way before us in academia and professional life, remember how far
we’ve come, and consider the challenges and wonderful opportunities ahead of us.

Banner image by Paul Burston.
University of Melbourne researchers representing the five branches of STEMM from left to right, Dr Georgina Such (Science), Dr Elaine Wong (Engineering), Professor Kate Smith-Miles (Mathematics), Professor Jodie McVernon (Medicine), and Dr Jenny Waycott (Technology).