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Speeches | March 08, 2018

International Women’s Day - 2018

Victorian Parliament - 8 March 2018 - Ms KEALY — Today is International Women’s Day. It is a fantastic day to take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, to make sure we recognise those women that have made a difference to our lives and perhaps also to thank the important women in our lives for all that they do and all the contributions they make to our own lives and to the general community.

I would like to speak in support of this year’s campaign, which is around Press for Progress. This is a very, very strong movement, which is around making sure that we maintain a gender parity mindset, challenge stereotypes and bias, forge positive visibility of women, influence others’ beliefs and actions, and celebrate women’s achievements. I think this is something we should do not just on International Women’s Day; it is something we should be looking at every single day. I encourage all women and men to do so. It is very positive to hear so many people speaking about International Women’s Day today and having so many people wearing purple in the Parliament today. I hope this carries through into the future.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank my mum, who has been looking after my little boy this week while I am in Parliament. Thank you so much, Mum. Her name is Liz Kealy. She does a fabulous job. I thank her so much. She is a bit tired today, but she does an absolutely wonderful job helping me raise my little boy. It takes a village to raise a child, and I certainly rely very heavily on my family to support me. Thank you very much, Mum.