When women are given equal opportunities to earn, learn and lead – entire communities thrive.
International Women's Day 2024 invites us to reflect on the ongoing mission of a gender equal world, especially in the context of this year's theme, "Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress."
As we mark International Women's Day, we take this moment to both celebrate our achievements and acknowledge the work that lies ahead.
The stories of women at UOW College – from students overcoming personal hurdles to teachers breaking barriers in male-dominated fields – reflect a bigger step towards gender equality.
Read their inspiring stories, each demonstrating the important role of education in transforming lives and promoting gender equality.
Engineering new perspectives with Sharmila
Sharmila Ramesh graduated from her Diploma of Engineering at UOW College, and now speaks to the transformative nature of education in her field.
Her experience as a student and now also a Peer Learning Staff highlights the shifting dynamics in engineering, a discipline traditionally seen as male dominated.
"In my opinion, Australia made it easier for me to access the engineering field without any partiality. I have never felt that the 'engineering field' is a male-dominated path as I had many females with me during my studies,” Sharmila says.
"Honestly, having a female mentor or a role model in the engineering and maths sector plays a major role in influencing more women to see this field as approachable and doable."
Sharmila's perspective sheds light on the importance of representation and support systems in educational institutions.
"If I hadn't met some wonderful females during my studies, I wouldn't have made it so far with confidence, courage, and excitement," she says.
Overcoming obstacles with Siobhan
Faced with the challenge of discontinuing her schooling in Year 11 to care for her father, Siobhan Heywood believed her academic aspirations had reached an early end.
However, her discovery of UOW College marked a new beginning.
Reflecting on this important turn, Siobhan says, "I hopped online and thought, ‘this is amazing’, so I applied. It was exciting, it was the next step towards where I wanted to be."
In the supportive environment of UOW College, Siobhan found more than academic learning, she found a community that nurtured her ambitions and believed in her potential.
“At the College we covered everything. The main subject I focussed on was skills for academic subjects, which covered essay writing and research skills," she says.
This support was instrumental as she pursued a dual degree in Psychology and Law, realms once thought beyond her reach.
"I made good friends at UOW College, and we still call to check in with each other now."
Siobhan's story is an example of the impact of education, especially for women overcoming significant life obstacles so they can learn, earn and lead.
Language and empowerment with Dilhara
Dilhara Mendis’ journey from Sri Lanka to becoming a teacher at UOW College is marked by a deep commitment to using education as a tool for positive change.
Reflecting on her experiences, Dilhara says, “Teaching English has been part of my life and I saw how important language is to accessing education.”
Her time in Sri Lanka, during the ethnic conflict, reinforced the importance of education in building bridges of understanding and nurturing peace.
Transitioning to teaching at UOW College, Dilhara's passion for language and its empowering capabilities took on a new dimension.
“Women want to learn and have a voice even in countries where it seems they are being oppressed,” she says.
This belief drove her to focus not just on teaching English, but on using it as a tool to empower her students from varied backgrounds.
Her commitment goes beyond the classroom, as evidenced by her involvement with the LOVED Charity, which supports community initiatives in Sri Lanka.
"I have never seen women not wanting to learn, whether it's my overseas students or Australian students. I always say my classroom is a place of knowledge exchange.”
A journey in mathematics with Kristina
For mathematics teacher Kristina Bendovska, her journey from Sweden to Australia was about challenging the norms and contributing to a more inclusive academic environment.
“My time as a student at UOW was awesome and I hope that I can influence them as well to experience the same life-changing opportunity I had.”
Her shift from a student to an educator in mathematics is a testament to the power of education in advancing gender equality.
With a focus on nurturing and supporting her students, Kristina embodies the values of inclusivity and empowerment.
“We don’t differentiate between our students. We are here to help,” she says.
Through her 25 years at UOW College, Kristina has played an important role in shaping the mathematical journeys of countless students, particularly encouraging women to pursue and excel in this field.
“You can make such a difference to students lives when they understand, pass and continue to achieve their dreams and goals, which is exactly what I came to university for,” she says.
While strides have been made in the pursuit of gender equality, the journey is far from over, and UOW College will continue to remain focused in efforts for a truly equitable future.