Swinburne marks International Women’s Day with powerful call to balance the scales

Swinburne University of Technology has marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a hybrid event to explore this year’s theme: Balance the Scales. Held on Tuesday 10 March on Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus, the event highlighted the urgent realities of gender-based violence (GBV) in Australia and reaffirmed Swinburne’s commitment to building a safer and more equitable community.  

Shining a light on gender-based violence   

Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester AO welcomed staff to the event, emphasising Swinburne’s commitment to providing an environment where people feel valued, respected and safe. 

“When we choose to listen, to learn, and to act, we create the conditions where real change can occur,” said  Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester AO.  

The Vice-Chancellor’s welcome was followed by a panel of leading voices on family and domestic violence. This included tackling the often‑hidden issue of financial abuse, highlighting how economic control undermines women’s safety and equality. 

Speakers included Professor Kay Cook, Associate Dean (Research) in the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education, whose research has shaped national understanding of financial abuse; Dr Rachael Burgin, Senior Lecturer in the Swinburne Law School, who examined the legal systems that can either protect or further disadvantage victim‑survivors; and Beth Bundy, Chief People Officer, who reflected on the role institutions and leaders play in creating safe, equitable workplaces. 

Together, the speakers reinforced a clear message: progress towards gender equity requires awareness, accountability and everyday actions from everyone.

Attendees engaged in discussions about the role of Swinburne in driving cultural change and preventing harm, reinforcing that addressing GBV is both a community responsibility and an organisational priority.  

Launch of Swinburne’s new GBV prevention and response plan  

The event also referenced the recent launch of Swinburne’s whole-of-organisation Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Action Plan and Outcomes Framework, signalling a strengthened and coordinated approach to preventing and responding to GBV across Swinburne.  

The new plan outlines Swinburne’s commitment to building a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where every person can fully participate in university life.   

“Our commitment is grounded in the belief that excellence and equity go hand in hand, and that innovation flourishes when people feel valued, respected and safe,” said Professor Quester AO.  

The plan responds to the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence, which is now in effect for all Australian universities.   

Swinburne’s new framework details the steps that will be taken to comply with the Code while prioritising the wellbeing of staff and students.  

A collective responsibility to drive change  

The speakers emphasised that creating a safe and respectful university is a shared responsibility. Staff were encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Action Plan along with the policies and procedures that support it.  

The event concluded by encouraging all staff to continue championing gender equality and helping to foster a campus culture where gender-based violence is never tolerated, and where safety, dignity and respect underpin the Swinburne experience.