The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) hosted its annual International Women’s Day event on Tuesday with the theme “Press for Progress”.

“The 2018 theme is about a call to action and to advocate for meaningful change,” said Georgegina Poulos, chair of HACCI at the event held at Normanby House in Melbourne.

“It is about motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive,” she added.

A keynote speaker at the event was Freda Miriklis, an entrepreneur and board director with experience educating and supporting world leaders and CEOs to promote equality and economic opportunities that empower women entrepreneurs through trade and development.

An active member of the Greek-Australian community, she co-founded Commonwealth Businesswomen (CBW), the only accredited organization on women’s empowerment recognized by 53 governments, and served as a main representative to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.

Miriklis spoke of the importance of gender parity policies designed by governments and the private sector to be a product of conscious consultation with women to ensure that the intended outcomes are achievable and that real change can ensue.

“Research has shown that when women earn equally to men, enjoy full access to water, food and have access to all basic services and the opportunity to engage in income generating activities, the development impact on society is socially and statistically significant,” said Miriklis.

HACCI said guests at the event were inspired by the international philanthropic work Miriklis in her leadership of the TX Foundation, which is undertaking the support of education of underprivileged children and communities in over 50 countries.

(au.greekreporter.com)