International Women’s Day is on Sunday 8 March. It’s a day to recognise the achievements of women in our community and around the world, and to continue the call for gender equality.

The 2026 theme, Balance the Scales, calls on us to challenge inequality and ensure every woman and girl can thrive and shape her own future.

Join us during the first week of March for a series of free and paid events  and exhibitions that celebrate women, share their stories and explore gender equality.

To mark the occasion, Hawthorn Arts Centre will also be lit in purple on Sunday 8 March.

Events near you

• Women’s Pilates with the Y – Start your day strong with a morning Pilates session hosted by the Y, followed by morning tea. Free event but bookings required. Town Hall Gallery at Hawthorn Arts Centre, Tuesday 3 March.
• Female solo artists at Port Fairy Folk Festival – In partnership with Boroondara Arts, Port Fairy Folk Festival presents a lineup of emerging folk musicians, including Chloe Foy, Daisy Kilbourne and Bonnie Jackson. $25 tickets. Bookings required. Kew Court House, Thursday 5 March.
• International Women’s Day Breakfast – Celebrate International Women’s Day at an inclusive and inspiring breakfast. Hear from a panel of local women about how they are creating meaningful change and the difference we can all make to further gender equality. Booking is essential.
  Hawthorn Arts Centre, Friday 6 March.

Community exhibitions at Hawthorn Arts Centre

• Echo and Resonance by Chelsey Liu – Chelsey Liu uses abstract and expressionist painting to express her cultural identity and daily life in Boroondara. Free exhibition from Wednesday 4 February to Saturday 14 March.
• Major exhibition: Familial – This exhibition brings together international artists exploring family through photography, capturing themes of motherly love and the challenges of connection. Free exhibition from Wednesday 11 February to Saturday 25 April.
• Precious Fibres by Maryam Ebtekar and Michelle Trewin – Reimagining everyday household litter as artworks that are meaningful, beautiful and enduring. Free exhibition from Wednesday 11 February to Saturday 21 March.

Alice Anderson Memorial Project

When 22-year-old Alice Anderson set up her all-female mechanics business in Kew in 1919 she was blazing a trail through a man’s world. 

Now locals are fundraising to erect a full-size bronze statue of Alice in Petrie Square, near her original garage. We’re working with the Alice Anderson Memorial Project Association by providing the site for the statue, along with $60,000 for landscaping and $40,000 towards the statue artwork.

As part of International Women’s Day, this project reflects the 2026 theme Balance the Scales by recognising women whose leadership and innovation helped address inequality and expand pathways for others.

Find out more about Alice Anderson, and make a tax-deductible donation, on our Alice Anderson public art proejct page.