Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 at Community First Step

Empowering Women, Celebrating International Women's Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time to recognise the incredible strength, resilience, and contributions of women in our community. At Community First Step, we marked the occasion with a series of inspiring events that brought people together to share stories, learn new skills, and celebrate the power of women supporting women.

From exploring education and career opportunities to conversations about leadership, advocacy, and self-care, each event was designed to uplift and inspire. Here’s how we came together to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025.

Education and Wellbeing at The Parks Occasional Care

Our IWD celebrations began at The Parks Occasional Care, where the focus was on education and employment, personal growth, and wellbeing. We were joined by Nazik Yako from TAFE NSW, who led an engaging session on career pathways and lifelong learning. She shared valuable insights on study options, skill development, and how education can open doors to new opportunities, sparking meaningful discussions about the future.

The event also included an Introduction to Meditation workshop with Estelle Zivanovic, where participants explored mindfulness techniques to help manage stress and improve wellbeing. It was a wonderful way to reflect, reset, and focus on personal growth – an essential part of empowerment.

Leadership and Creativity at the Community Hub

Next, we welcomed Dai Le MP, Federal Member for Fowler, to our Community Hub for an inspiring discussion about leadership, resilience, and stepping into new opportunities. Dai shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and embracing leadership. Her message was clear: with the right mindset, perseverance, and openness to opportunities, anything is possible.

Following the discussion, participants took part in a candle-making workshop, led by Adrienne and Ebony. This hands-on activity added a creative and personal element to the event, giving attendees a chance to unwind, express themselves, and connect with others in a relaxed setting.

Advocacy and Self-Care at the LifeAbility Hub

We wrapped up our IWD events at the LifeAbility Hub, where Joline George, founder of Help You Cope and Autism Expo Australia, led a powerful discussion on advocacy, inclusion, and self-empowerment. Joline’s insights into supporting individuals and families in the autism community resonated deeply, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy and embracing strengths.

To finish the day, participants took part in a DIY body scrub workshop, a hands-on session that encouraged self-care and relaxation. It was a beautiful reminder that empowerment isn’t just about action – it’s also about taking time to nurture ourselves.

Advocacy and Self-Care at the LifeAbility Hub

The feedback from event participants was overwhelmingly positive, with all attendees saying they enjoyed the events. Women of diverse backgrounds and ages took part, with attendees ranging from 25 to over 65 years old and coming from Iraqi, Vietnamese, and Chaldean backgrounds. Many spoke Arabic, Vietnamese, or Chaldean at home and lived in Fairfield LGA and surrounding suburbs, reflecting the strong multicultural community that came together to celebrate.

The guest speakers, hands-on workshops, and sense of community were the standout aspects of the events. Participants shared how much they valued the opportunity to hear inspiring stories, try something new, and connect with others in a welcoming space.

When asked what they enjoyed the most, attendees said:

“Enjoyed the whole day – great event! The speaker was amazing, and the activity was great.”

“Breathing exercises and the motivational talk.”

“It was excellent to have this time to explore new things.”

“Learning new skills.”

“Mingling with others and having a good laugh.”

“Absolutely everything!”

Importantly, every respondent said they would attend another event like this, reinforcing the value of creating spaces where women can learn, grow, and celebrate one another.

Our Commitment to Women's Empowerment

International Women’s Day is about recognising the contributions of women, fostering connections, and continuing the conversation about opportunity, leadership, equity, and equality. Across our events, we saw women come together to share experiences, learn from one another, and celebrate their strengths.

A huge thank you to Dai Le, Joline George, Nazik Yako, Estelle Zivanovic, Adrienne, and Ebony, as well as everyone who joined us for these special events. Your participation and energy made this year’s celebrations truly meaningful.

At Community First Step, we are committed to empowering women every day through education, advocacy, and community support. Thank you for celebrating with us!