The AEU marks International Women's Day by calling on governments world-wide to seriously commit to advancing gender equality globally.

As the United Nations Commission for Women this week reviews progress made fifteen years on from the Beijing Platform for Action (the global policy framework for gender equality), it is clear that new and remaining obstacles still need to be overcome, such as the gender gap in primary education, pay inequities, unemployment and violence against women.

In particular the AEU encourages members to support the One Goal - Education for All campaign which aims to put pressure on world leaders to end poverty by providing education for the 72 million children out of school, the majority are girls.

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.

The AEU encourages members to:

• Use the students resources to involve students in IWD;
• Plan IWD activities at your workplace and tell us about it!
• Attend IWD events hosted by local trades/labour council or community;
• Encourage women in your workplace to join the union.