Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022 #breakthebias

SydWest Multicultural Services is hosting a special International Women’s Day event, to be held Friday 4th
March in Blacktown.

International Women’s Day is a day for all cultures to come together and commemorate the achievements of
women around us, but also acts as a platform to build support for women’s rights and participation within
political and economic spheres.

‘This International Women’s Day, we ask the community to reflect on gender bias and stereotypes within
their socio-cultural contexts and how this impacts women around us. Reflection on personal empowerment
and what gender bias looks like in each individual’s social context is the first step forward in promoting a
gender equal world, where differences are valued and celebrated,’ said Elfa Moraitakis, CEO of SydWest
Multicultural Services.

This year, SydWest is pleased to advise that our special keynote speaker is Amani Haydar, award-winning
writer, visual artist, lawyer and advocate for women’s health and safety, who herself is based in Western
Sydney. Amani’s debut memoir ‘The Mother Wound,’ was awarded the 2022 Victorian Premier’s Literary
Award for Non-fiction. She was named Local Woman of the Year for Bankstown at the 2020 NSW Premier’s
Woman of the Year Awards in recognition of her advocacy against domestic violence.

Sarah Macdonald, presenter on Evenings with ABC Radio Sydney also joins us as MC on the nigt. Sarah
brings a wealth of experience, including having lived in India where she wrote the international bestseller
‘Holy Cow,’ about her experiences.

Entertainment will be provided by dance troupe Flamenco Red, presented by Annalouise Paul and Subtle
Mullets, a five-piece band of alternative pop rockers from Sydney’s Inner West to close the evening
celebrations.

SydWest Multicultural Services is a leading organisation for all cultural diversity issues responding to community needs and opportunities. Established more than 35 years ago, SydWest provides a range of services to culturally and
linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals and communities services to assist with settling and living productive and
independent lives in the community. We offer flexible and integrated service models across the life course of refugees
and migrants, supporting the self-determination and empowerment of our diverse communities. SydWest is an
innovative employer of choice, with passionate, qualified and experienced bilingual and bicultural staff who are sensitive to the languages and cultures of the communities we represent. With locations in Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Penrith and Rouse Hill, we cover all matters of cultural diversity in the region.