Call for Applications for the Australian High Commission International Women’s Day Awards

Jan 27, 2020 | International Women’s Day | 0

The Australian High Commission would like to invite members of the public to nominate eligible women and men for three awards to mark International Women’s Day 2020, with the winners to be announced by the Australian High Commissioner in a ceremony on Friday 6 March 2020.

Nominations are sought for the following awards. These awards are funded by the Australian Government to recognise the leadership and active participation of women in Vanuatu society. They are a joint initiative of the Lynch and Mataskelekele families and the Australian High Commission.

1. The Andy Lynch Award for Excellence in the Community Sector

For the Andy Lynch Award for Excellence in the Community Sector, people are invited to nominate women who have demonstrated commitment to building stronger and sustainable communities in Vanuatu. Mrs Andy Lynch was a strong advocate for equality and particularly for people living with disability.

2. The Hanson Mataskelekele Award for Women in Leadership

For the Hanson Mataskelekele Award for Women in Leadership, people are invited to nominate women who have demonstrated ongoing strong skills in leadership. Mrs Hanson Mataskelekele was a teacher and former first lady who advanced women’s rights and women’s leadership.

3. 40^th Anniversary Gender Equality Advocate Award

In honour of the 40^th anniversary of bilateral Australia-Vanuatu relations, this year the Australian High Commission invites nominations for an additional special award, the 40^th Anniversary Gender Equality Advocate Award. Recognising that addressing gender inequality requires all members of society – women and men – to drive change, this award will honour a man or woman who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to advancing gender equality in Vanuatu. Advancing gender equality could include working towards the elimination of violence against women and girls, promoting women’s economic opportunities, advocating for increased women’s representation in leadership or working for a more inclusive and supportive environment for women and girls.

Submissions for all three awards close on Wednesday 19 February 2020 and can be sent to the Public Affairs Team at the Australian High Commission (P.O. Box 111, Port Vila), emailed to australia_vanuatu@dfat.gov.au or sent as a private message through the Australian High Commission, Vanuatu Facebook page. Submissions should explain in approximately 250 words why the nominee deserves the award. Nominees must not be a previous award winner. For more information, please call the Public Affairs Team at the Australian High Commission on 22777.

If an award winner is from outside Port Vila, the Australian Government will pay for their return fare to Port Vila to attend the award ceremony on Friday 6 March 2020.

International Women’s Day is recognised across the world as a day to celebrate the achievements of women and call for further action on gender equality. The day helps promote and protect the equal rights of women and celebrate the courage and determination of women who play extraordinary roles in our community.

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