With five events spanning five days in recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD), the Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC) is giving all women and girls a reason to March Forward as per this year’s IWD theme.
CCCWHC CEO Sara Foster said as the Coast’s largest women-focused charity and provider of affordable physical and mental healthcare services for women, CCCWHC staff experience firsthand the challenges faced by women in the community.
“In our organisation, we see the challenges women and girls face every day,” she said.
“We see so many women coming to our organisation seeking support.
“While on one hand, IWD celebrates how far we’ve come, we must also recognise the challenges that remain.
“We know women around the world still face systemic barriers to safety, health, and equality.
“Domestic and family violence continues to devastate lives, access to essential health services is still unequal, and women – particularly those from marginalised communities – continue to fight for their voices to be heard.
“Despite the struggles, we as women continue to rise.
“We see it in the women who walk through our doors every day—women rebuilding their lives after violence, women reclaiming their health, women finding the courage to ask for help.
“This year’s IWD theme of March Forward reminds us that progress is not just about reflection but about taking decisive, bold steps to turn our commitments into action.
“This is our moment to drive change and ensure a truly equal future for all women and girls.”
Foster said IWD shouldn’t be a tokenistic occasion for businesses and the broader community, but a pause to reflect on the advances that have been made by the generations who came before us and a real opportunity to advocate for continuing progress for women and girls everywhere.
“IWD gives us a reason to celebrate the incredible progress that generations before us have fought to make for women everywhere,” she said.
“From securing the right to vote to advocating for bodily autonomy, from challenging workplace discrimination to creating safe spaces for women to heal and thrive, every step forward has been made possible by the strength and courage of those who came before us.
“But progress isn’t just about history—it’s happening right now, and we can all take part by advocating for the rights of all women.
“Progress happens every time a woman seeks support, every time we stand up for justice, and every time we empower each other.
“To march forward and turn promises into progress, the movement must include all women.”
CCCWHC partnered with various organisations and businesses in honour of IWD.
It partnered with Narara Community Centre to host a celebration for its members, community partners and clients featuring multi-award-winning singer, songwriter and female empowerment activist Melinda Schneider presenting Be Gentle on Yourself.
CEO Sara Foster presented the keynote address at the Community & Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN) IWD Breakfast event at Mingara Recreation Club, with all proceeds going to Because We Care Boutique.
Meraki Hospitality Group and Coasties Magazine joined forces in support of CCCWHC for an exclusive IWD luncheon for women of the Coast held at Little Miss Mezza, West Gosford.
Hardy’s Bay Club and CCCWHC raised funds and awareness for vulnerable women and girls featuring a number of female entrepreneurs and advocates from our local community.
Sara Foster was invited to present at Shaw and Partners financial services firm in Sydney to offer education and awareness around how corporations and community can work together to help women everywhere march forward.
To become a member of CCCWHC email hello@cccwhc.com.au
If you need to access support services or would like to make a donation visit cccwhc.com.au
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