Economic gender parity is about 169 years away, according to the World Economic Forum.

One Bendigo club, in particular, is unwilling to wait until 2186. 

The Zonta Club of Bendigo is challenging the community to be bold for change, in line with the theme of International Women’s Day this year. 

Next month, the club will host a dinner at the All Seasons Conservatory Bendigo in honour of the international event. 

The dinner will recognise the achievements of women in our community, and promote the objectives of International Women’s Day.

Among them is the aim to achieve gender equality by 2030.

Bendigo Health Dr Humsha Naidoo will provide the keynote address.

As the health service’s chief medical officer and executive director of clinical support services, Dr Naidoo said International Women’s Day resonated with her hopes for a future in which men and women were treated as equal. 

“I think being bold means being proactive, being aware that there are issues around equality for women in the workplace that need that extra bit of action to be taken in terms of progressing the gender agenda,” she said. 

She said International Women’s Day was an effort to put gender parity in the spotlight around the globe – a world in which Australia is ranked 46^th out of 144 countries listed in the Global Gender Gap Index.

The top 10 in 2016 were Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Rwanda, Ireland, the Philippines, Slovenia, New Zealand and Nicaragua. 

In addition to looking abroad, the event on the eve of International Women’s Day will feature award and scholarship presentations to community members. 

The Zonta Club of Bendigo will present its second annual Women of Achievement Award, along with scholarships for two La Trobe University students and two secondary school students. 

Doors to the event on March 7 open at 6pm, for a 6.30pm start. 

Tickets are $70 per head, with funds donated to the club’s scholarship programs.

To purchase, phone 5434 6100, visit www.gotix.com.au or pop in to 50 View Street, Bendigo.