Brisbane business owners to ditch ‘tokenistic’ celebrations this IWD

While International Women’s Day is mainly seen as a celebration of progress, some Brisbane business owners are demanding more than “tokenistic” displays of support.

Noosa-based keynote speaker Amanda Stevens is just one of the women taking a stand against the day.

“I think International Women’s Day, at its heart, is about progress, right?” Stevens said. “[But] I think as time goes on … we’re going backwards in so many ways.”

Amanda Stevens has taken a stand against traditional International Women’s Day events.

This year Stevens has chosen to speak for free at a women’s prison after becoming frustrated by requests to present without compensation at corporate events.

“I’m a speaker, that’s how I earn my living,” she said.

“When I get invitations to speak at events on International Women’s Day at half – or sometimes less – my fee ... the irony of this makes me just want to vomit.”

Stevens said that while striding for progress is a message she can support, it’s the disconnect she struggles with most when it comes to the awareness day.

In 2021, Australian Bureau of Statistics research reveals that if a woman receives a pay rise that takes her earnings above her male partner’s, she is 35 per cent more likely to become a victim of domestic violence.

“So even if we are making progress, it’s actually putting us at risk of domestic violence,” she said.

“I think more and more women are becoming aware that we can go to lunches and events every year, but if nothing’s changing, I guess it begs the question, why are we doing it?”

Dangerous Females founder Jessica Hallagan.

Jessica Hallagan, founder of charity Dangerous Females, echoed Stevens’ view that conversations about equality must go beyond the day.

“I’ll tell you what we want, what we really, really, want,” the Brisbane business owner said, “[is] pay equity, paid menstrual and menopause leave, intersectional representation, superannuation, and better working conditions with flexibility.”

What’s the story behind International Women’s Day?

The United Nations awareness day began in 1908 after the Socialist Party of America designated the day in honour of garment workers striking in New York that year for better working conditions.

Now, the day is celebrated across the globe, with a strong focus on women at work. This year’s theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, with a focus on youth.

“Empowering the next generation of young women and girls should be central to the conversation, and not just an afterthought and hashtag,” Hallagan said.

“Tokenistic” morning teas do not cut it when it comes to addressing inequality, she added.

“How many of those thousands of IWD events across the country are mostly run by women – unpaid – are attended by women, and only women?

“With this IWD falling on a Saturday, it’s even more frustrating – ‘girlbossing’ for free on the weekend.”

This year Dangerous Females is collaborating with the Women’s Legal Service and swimwear brand Une Piece for International Women’s Day (however Cyclone Alfred may impact these plans).

While frustrations around the day persist, being a Brisbane woman in business has largely been a positive experience for Hallagan.

“I’ve gotta say, no one does it like Brissie. It’s all about celebrating each other’s wins, picking each other up, and navigating the world of social media – sharing, collaborating, and supporting one another,” she said.

This has also been the experience for Venzin Group chief executive Giorgina Venzin, a key player in Brisbane’s hospitality space, with ventures including Pawpaw Café and Melrose.

Giorgina Venzin is a key player in Brisbane’s hospitality scene.

Venzin will use March 8 to celebrate her largely female team.

“I have so many amazing females in my team, and I want to cheer them on,” she said.

“I believe it’s important to celebrate and support them, and I’ll take every opportunity to tell the women around me how proud I am of them,” she said.

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