International Women's Day 2026

Balance the Scales 

When women and girls stand equal, families are stronger, workplaces are fairer, communities thrive and society becomes safer for everyone. This International Women's Day on Sunday, March 8, let's Balance the Scales and celebrate women and girls across Northern Grampians Shire.

Balance the Scales is a promise that every woman and girl – regardless of background or identity – should be safe, heard, and free to shape their own lives. Yet in 2026, too many across Australia and the world are still denied that fair go. Discriminatory laws, policies, and practices persist. Gender-based violence remains widespread, and structural barriers block too many from seeking or receiving justice.

These barriers are not inevitable. They are built – and they can be dismantled. Equality is not about advantage for some; it's about dignity, safety, and fairness for all.

Join us at any of the following activities to celebrate International Women's Day between Sunday, March 8 and Saturday, March 14, 2026 inclusive. 

---

Activities available

• Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre is offering FREE access between March 8-14, 2026 inclusive for all women and girls. This includes across to the pool, gym, group fitness classes and Pickleball sessions which are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Find out more about their opening hours and when activities are available on our website, here - Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre.

• Council is hosting two Business After Hours events in March which have two local female guest speakers. If you own or operate a local business within the shire, consider attending either event. Further details including the RSVP links can be found via the following: 
  • Stawell: Wednesday, March 11 at 5.30pm at Stawell Trackside Bar and Bistro. Guest speaker is Kate Warner from Green Eggs. Register now: click here
  • St Arnaud: Wednesday, March 18 at 5.30pm at St Arnaud Town Hall in the Perry Room. Guest speaker is Jane Lomas from Vine and Lamb. Register now: click here
• Collect a pledge card from our Customer Service offices, libraries, Thrive 50+ Hubs or Shop 108 in Stawell. You can write down something you pledge to achieve over the next 12 months to strive towards balancing the scales and ensure our region is a place where women and girls can thrive. 

• Visit Shop 108 in Stawell to see a display of pledge cards and find out more about the different activities available for International Women's Day.

• Council's libraries in Stawell and St Arnaud will feature displays that celebrate amazing women authors and trailblazers. Your next read could be one of their titles!

• St Arnaud has three Active Sessions available, including:    

When

Location

Activities are available in both Stawell and St Arnaud

Various locations