International Women's Day, which is celebrated around the world on 8 March, was first marked in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland as a platform for the right to vote and for better working conditions for women. IWD was acknowledged for the first time in Australia in 1928 by a march in Sydney for equal pay, but it was only in 1974 that it was recognised by the Australian Government.

Here in Darwin, the annual IWD walk and community morning tea will take place on 9 March in the CBD. Participants, who are asked to wear purple, will set out from Parliament House at 9.30am, returning there at around 10.15am with events – including live music, speakers, entertainers, information stalls and refreshments – taking place in State Square until 12.30pm.