The majestic halls of the Victorian Parliament echoed with celebration and purpose on Monday as community organizations Women of Wyndham (WOW), Multicultural Women of the World (MWOW), and Multicultural Consulting Services (MCS) jointly hosted a powerful International Women’s Day 2025 event under the theme: “Celebrating Migrant Women’s Contribution in Victoria’s Big Build.” The event spotlighted the pivotal role migrant women have played in building Victoria’s infrastructure and workforce—while simultaneously advocating for support, recognition, and equality.
Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence, Natalie Hutchins, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and delivered a heartfelt keynote. “We cannot talk about Victoria’s growth without acknowledging the women—particularly migrant women—who have contributed to it from the ground up,” said Minister Hutchins.
Joining her were special guests Minister Natalie Suleyman, VMC Chair Viv Nguyen, and MP Luba Grigorovitch, all of whom underscored the urgency of gender equity and inclusive policies for migrant women. “The resilience and resourcefulness of migrant women deserve not just celebration—but serious investment and structural support,” said Viv Nguyen.
The celebration also honored several community champions and organizations whose commitment to supporting survivors of family violence has had a meaningful impact. These changemakers have worked across sectors to connect survivors with housing, skills training, and career opportunities, making a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of women. At the heart of the movement stood Monica Sharma Raizada, whose leadership across WOW and MWOW was praised by many for mobilizing grassroots efforts and securing strategic partnerships. “Monica’s vision and commitment have transformed how we support migrant women in Victoria,” said a fellow community leader. “Her work has redefined what true empowerment looks like.”
Former VMC Commissioner Sisay Dinku was also recognized for his long-standing contributions to settlement services, training, and corporate engagement aimed at enabling newly arrived migrants to become self-reliant. “This event wasn’t just a celebration—it was a statement,” said Monica Sharma Raizada. “A statement that migrant women are not just participants in our society—they are leaders, builders, and changemakers.”
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from WOW, MWOW, and MCS to continue advocating for inclusive policies, economic opportunities, and a future free from violence for all women—regardless of background.
As International Women’s Day 2025 draws to a close, the message from the Victorian Parliament is clear: migrant women are central to Victoria’s progress—and their voices, stories and contributions must be at the forefront of every conversation on equity and empowerment.
In another major celebration, on the same day, Achievers' World successfully hosted the International Women Summit at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, aimed to recognize and honour women from all walks of life. The summit was a grand celebration aligned with the theme of International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 - “Accelerate Action,” to rejoice in the progress made towards achieving gender equality and women's empowerment and to strive for greater momentum.
The occasion was graced by eminent dignitaries including Smt. Dharamshila Gupta, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Dr. Lata Wankhede, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), and Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Minister of State for External Affairs of India. The event also welcomed distinguished international guests and over 200 delegates, comprising business leaders, changemakers, CSR professionals, and industry experts from across India. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a warm welcome speech of Ms. Bharti Sharma, Director - Achievers' World.
In her summit overview, she expressed the summit's vision: “To celebrate the awe-inspiring achievements of women and fortify Nari Shakti.” Smt. Dharamshila Gupta highlighted the indispensable role of women in shaping Viksit Bharat 2047. “Empowering women (Nari) is not only a social imperative but a strategic move for economic growth and long-term sustainable development,” she added.
Following her, Dr. Lata Wankhede reinforced inclusivity in nation-building: “Viksit Bharat cannot thrive if half its population is left behind. Empowering women creates a ripple effect, influencing multiple dimensions of society and catalyzing progress across various sectors.” Corroborating their sentiments, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi encouraged women to embrace challenges as stepping stones towards national progress. “Women do not need empowerment—they are already empowered. What they need are opportunities,” she said.
The summit detailed engaging conversations providing women a safe platform to share their transformative journeys and experiences. Guest of Honour, Prof. Madhu Purnima Kishwar, Founder Editor, MANUSHI, shared her valuable expertise, while Prof. Pushpanjali Jha, facilitated an impromptu session, inviting women to take the stage and speak on their challenges, triumphs, and inspiring experiences in breaking barriers.
During the summit, some distinguished women in their respective fields were honoured with Women Icon Awards for their outstanding contributions to women's empowerment, namely Smt. Rajmata Shanti Singh, Dr. Kawal Deep Kour, Ms. Narinder Kaur, Wing Commander Lalita Akhilesh Mishra S, Mrs. Meetu Rathore, Smt. Munesh Dedha, and others.
Concluding the event, Ms. Varsha Sharma extended a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging the invaluable contributions of dignitaries, panelists, and attendees and reiterated collective commitment towards empowering women.
