International Women’s Day (IWD) is an opportunity to reflect on the theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’, can we reaffirm our commitment to creating a world where all women are empowered, valued, and included. By working together to break down barriers and foster diversity, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society for generations to come.

Within the Oceania Athletics Area, we have seen women continue to break barriers in the past 12 months and become “the first” to represent their country at World Athletics events, achieve the first medals for their country, lead their country on the track, field, road, and course. We have seen leaders emerge in officiating, coaching, and administration. These women are leading the way at a local level, within the Oceania Area, and on the world stage. We continue to lead with 80% of the OAA Headquarters staff being women. Oceania Athletics continues to break down barriers and foster diversity, to build a more equitable and inclusive society for generations to come.

International Women’s Day fall within the World Athletics Women’s Week – a week dedicated to celebrating all things women in athletics – which will run from 5-10 March 2024 and coincides with International Women’s Day on 8 March. In order to highlight the occasion, all World Athletics platforms will feature a version of the World Athletics logo inspired by the colours of the suffragette movement and all related content will be about, and produced by, women.