IWD is an opportunity to reassert the importance of equal opportunities for women and girls. It is essential in the reconciliation of family and work that the Rudd Government commits to and funds a universal Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave scheme in the 2009 Federal Budget.

IWD is also the time to speak out on the plight of women and girls around the world. Too many women and girls are starving because of the devastation of war, the food crisis, loss of jobs, low wages and cuts in social benefits. Many are illiterate and have no access to education. Two thirds of the one billion illiterate adults who have no access to basic education are women.

"Investing in women and girls is part of the solution to building a sustainable future. Educated women have a multiplier effect on the levels of education and health of their families and on productivity for sustained economic growth. Educating girls and women enables them to become agents of change. It allows them to become part of the solution to the economic and environmental crisis, instead of being those mainly suffering its consequences." (Education International, 3/03/2009)

The AEU calls on governments to work towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, Education for All and enforcing the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination (CEDAW) which would help to ensure that women and girls were guaranteed access to education and lives free from violence.