On International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, we’re celebrating four amazing women whose wisdom, dedication and generous support has contributed to the success of the FASD Hub Australia over the past eight years;
- Professor Elizabeth Elliott – paediatrician, FASD expert, researcher, Chair and co-founder of the FASD Hub Australia;
- Emeritus Professor Carol Bower – distinguished Australian medical researcher and public health advocate, and co-founder of the FASD Hub Australia;
- Ms Jessica Birch – passionate advocate and speaker who raises awareness through the lens of a person with FASD;
- Ms Sophie Harrington – interim CEO of the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (NOFASD) Australia, who oversees strategic initiatives, advocacy efforts, and stakeholder engagement to support individuals and families affected by FASD.
Bringing together the latest evidence-based information about Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Australia, the FASD Hub is relied upon by a range of health and other professionals, researchers, policy makers and people who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding – with most visitors to the website identifying as female.
According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate, achieving full gender parity is unlikely to be achieved until 2158, or just over five generations from now. There is an urgency for a collective push to speed up progress towards gender equality.
Three decades ago, at the Fourth World Conference on Women, world leaders committed to securing equal rights, opportunities, and safety for women and girls everywhere. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action continues to uphold this commitment. It remains the most far-reaching and transformative plan ever set forth to ensure gender equality for all women and girls.
This year’s theme ‘March Forward: For ALL Women and Girls’, highlights the importance of transforming promises into action, amplifying diverse voices, and breaking down inequalities.
Although we’ve made notable strides, IWD reminds us to keep working towards gender equity, creating a world where every woman is recognised, valued, and empowered to lead.
We asked each of these trailblazers for their perspectives on the progress and work that remains to ensure we create an inclusive environment that supports women, and this is what they said:
Professor Elizabeth Elliott AM
“International Women’s Day is an opportunity for collective focus on common challenges that women face globally – in the home, workplace and society.
For those of us fortunate to live in Australia it also provides a reminder of the ongoing oppression of women and girls in so many other countries – and the need for those of us with a voice to advocate for women who are silenced.
Women must be better represented as leaders.
The expectation that women can do it all – with lower salaries and less support than men – simply must change if we want to achieve gender equity, social cohesion and future economic prosperity.”
Emeritus Professor Carol Bower AC
“Most women in Australia have had the vote from 1902; from the 1960s for Aboriginal people. Equal pay for equal work has been law for 50+ years, yet there is still a gender pay gap. Laws help protect people from discrimination but calls for rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are concerning.
Our work is not done. As an epidemiologist, I am keen to see: the collection of comprehensive data on how changes are being made and how effective they are; high quality research on ways to tackle gender inequality and, importantly; to ensure that the voices of those concerned are included every step of the March.
Clearly the voices of women are paramount, but voices of men, young people and old, and people of diverse backgrounds and racial origin, and different abilities, must also be included.
I long for the day when IWD is no longer needed to draw attention to gaps and failures, but rather is a day of celebration of inclusive environments that support us all equally.”
Jessica Birch
“What I hope is that moving forward we see more mutual support and the uplifting of each other as women, as powerful important beings driving change in the world; that we create women’s spaces that are ultimately safer for individuals to share openly and be supported to reach their potential.
There is an ingrained belief that women don’t have a voice. We do, and it’s absolutely getting louder.”
Sophie Harrington
“What I really love about International Women’s Day is that it encourages us to think about all the different experiences women face. We know that not all women have the same struggles, and some communities face even more challenges because of social inequities and many other factors beyond their control.
That said, we need to approach gender equality in a collaborative manner, creating solutions that work for all women.
To truly make progress, we must ensure that we’re listening to everyone and staying committed to creating a better future for those who will follow.”
