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Gender Equity at UOW

International Women's Day Gender Equity Awards

International Women’s Day 2026

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements, and it is also an important reminder of the continued work required to achieve gender equality.

The official United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is Balance the Scales. This theme highlights the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive and accessible justice for all women and girls. It focuses on dismantling systemic barriers, including discriminatory laws, gender‑based violence, and inequitable structures, while calling for meaningful action to create justice systems that are survivor‑centred, inclusive, and safe.

The theme also emphasises the need to amplify marginalised voices, ensure women and girls can safely access support and opportunity, and make equality the norm rather than the exception.

UOW’s Commitment to Gender Equity

At UOW, we are committed to advancing gender equity across every area of our institution. Equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our success as a global university, shaping the strength, innovation, and impact of our community. Women contribute immensely to UOW’s achievements, through research, teaching, professional roles, leadership and community engagement. Our continued focus is on removing barriers, supporting opportunity, and fostering an environment where all women feel safe, valued and able to thrive.

UOW Gender Equity IWD Awards – Now Open for 2026

We are pleased to share that the UOW Gender Equity IWD Awards are now open and will run again in 2026.

These awards recognise individuals and teams who are driving positive change and advancing gender equity across our university.

Past Year Events and Award Winners

This year, UN Women Australia celebrated International Women’s Day under the theme “March forward” with a call to action to turn commitments into progress. It’s a day to recognise that advancing gender equality benefits everyone – not only in large and complex workplaces like ours but across society.

WATCH: IWD panellists reflecting on what International Women's Day means to them. (staff access only)

Check out more photos on LinkedIn

Gender Equity Advocate Awards

First Place

  • Denny Nesbitt, Chair, Women of UOW Network
    Denny was nominated for her work as a passionate gender equity advocate as Chair of the Women of UOW Network. She is passionate about creating a Network of women who are dedicated to supporting others to March Forward. She also coaches mothers in career transitions and has authored a book on how to empower women in the workplace.

IWD - Gender Equity Advocate Award Winner - Denny Nesbitt

Second Place

  • Professor Sharon Crozier De Rosa
    The first candidate was nominated for her work championing gender equity at UOW. She was a part of the Feminist Research Network, is a mentor for women in Humanities and Social Enquiry School and is committed to providing a gender-inclusive curriculum.
  • Dr. Katharina Peters
    The second candidate was nominated for her gender equity leadership in Marine Science at UOW, including her work with early career researchers and the Nominations Committee at the Society for Marine Mammalogy.

Third Place

  • Professor Lorna Moxham
    The first candidate was nominated for her work on the Recovery Camp Project, and her active inclusion and collaboration with the women around her to create opportunities and address gender equity barriers impacting staff and students in Nursing.
  • Margie Janti
    The second candidate was nominated for her work promoting gender equity within Library Services. She is an active mentor and collaborates to deliver inclusive and safe environments for women, she also delivers several international development programs for women in higher education libraries.

Highly Commended

  • Ass. Prof Katarina Mikac
    Katarina was nominated for her work to bring gender equity to ecology fieldwork. She empowers women around her through mentorship, and advocacy to ensure women in ecology have the support and opportunities to thrive in their careers.
  • Lisa Simmons
    Lisa was nominated for her forward-thinking approach to management of her Faculty Research Operations Team, for years she has proactively supported her staff in flexible work, and with caring needs, as well as actively working towards gender balance within her team through recruitment.

Gender Equity Project Award

First Place

  • Project Period: Ella Young & Jessica Hewett
    This team was nominated for their project that brought free women’s hygiene products across campus. This project aimed to normalise menstruation and sought to reduce inequity for at risk and low socio-economic students.

Second Place

  • Women in STEM Entrepreneurship LIFT Project Team: Danielle Skropeta; Tamantha Stutchbury; Georgia Watson; Helen Georgiou; Jon Roberts; Shamika Almeida; Rebecca Duldig; Emily Yap; Grace Kennedy; Grace McCarthy; Lorraine Denny; Jingjing Liu; Khin Win; Sharon Robinson.
    This team was nominated for their intersectional work with women from culturally diverse backgrounds, the project empowers participants in the workplace and enhances the visibility of women in STEM.

Highly Commended

  • Safe and Respectful Committees Team: Kylie McElhone; Ciara Smith; Angela Cowan; MacKenzie Edgington; Miranda Batchelor; Eleanor Coleman
    This team was nominated for their work with gender-based violence support, advocacy and training, especially their project that targeted culturally diverse women to navigate and report.

Gender Equity Ally Award

First Place

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Transformation (EDIT) Team in SMAH: Sarah Hamylton, Kerrylee Rogers, Jeff Kelleway, Anthony McKnight, Ryan Dallas, Naomi Dear, Anthony Dossetto, Shona Rankin-Lawless, Siobhan Heatwole
    This team was nominated for their work establishing a UOW fieldwork code of conduct, promoting the cultivation of safe cultures for women working in the field for geography and engineering schools. The Code sets standards for behaviour and was developed to specifically address concerns about discrimination and sexual harassment being reported by women in these schools.

Highly Commended

  • Xavier Mayes
    Xavier was nominated for his amazing work as a vocal and passionate Ally in all things EDI. He actively engages with EDI communications projects and events, often going above and beyond to ensure content is effective and engaging.