As women worldwide celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday, one Griffith woman is preparing to take a seat at an international table alongside policy makers and game changers pushing for change.
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Sonia Casonova is set to attend the 61st UN Council on the Status of Women in New York this March, after receiving a scholarship to attend as part of the Soroptimist International Federation delegation.
It was news met with excitement among her fellow Soroptimist members in Griffith, many of whom have fought hard against inequality their whole lives.
For 27-year Soroptimist veteran Marj Johnston, the news was just another positive step in the right direction towards achieving equality.
“When I started work teaching, we all went to the same college but we only got paid two thirds of the men’s salary,” she said on Tuesday.
“Can you believe it?”
It is a reality Ms Casanova will keep in the forefront of her mind as she makes her trek across the globe.
“We have made a lot change since Marj first started working in 1956, but we still have a way to go until we achieve gender equality,” she said.
“We can’t sit back and think all the problems are solved because women all around the world still face discrimination and disadvantage.”
As part of the Soroptimist delegation Ms Casanova will have the opportunity to attend a number of events hosted by the UN, government bodies and non-government organisations.
It is a “surreal” experience for the career woman and mother who is looking forward to what she says is an incredible opportunity.
“That is power of Soroptimists, they have a permanent seat at the UN table as an organisation focused on empowering women and girls,” she said.
“I wanted to go to this so I could listen and learn and then bring those ideas back to our community.”
Ms Casanova said there were a number of interesting events she was looking forward to attending during her time in New York, and was hopeful she would be able to bring back what she had learned to the local community.
But a clear highlight already locked into her calendar was a Barbershop launch event focused on mobilising men and boys for gender equality.
“Bringing men into this conversation is so important,” she said.
“It is not an ‘us versus them’ issue it is all of us together for the benefit of our community, society and economy.”
The event is only one of many discussing issues relevant to women right here in Griffith Ms Casanova is determined to learn from.
“There is one hosted by the Worldwide girl guides association addressing gender norms and stereotypes,” she said.
“And another hosted by UN Women and Hungary on work/life imbalance and helping women achieve their potential in both the workplace and their families.”
“These are issues women right here face.”
