Three guest speakers to mark women's day event in Rotorua

Dr Jackie Blue, Claire Mahon and Kelly Makiha will be guest speakers at an International Women's Day Event in Rotorua on Friday. Photos / Supplied

Rotorua is invited to celebrate International Women's Day with an event at the Rotorua Library on Friday. The event is being organised by the Zonta and Quota Clubs of Rotorua, two international service organisations that work to empower women around the world.

Rotorua Zonta president Sierra de la Croix said Zonta and Quota were particularly proud to mark the day with "three amazing speakers" who would explore themes around balance and gender equality in New Zealand".

Kelly Makiha

Speakers include Rotorua Daily Post journalist Kelly Makiha, who will talk about reporting women's sport.

Makiha will talk about the local newspaper's philosophy and reason for increasing the coverage of women's sport in recent years.

Dr Jackie Blue

Jackie Blue, the former Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner for the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, will address equality in the workplace.

Blue said: "I want to see a gender equal world where there is a level playing field for all and women are valued for who they are and what they bring".

"International Women's Day is a time to acknowledge that we are not there yet, to draw on the courage of women who have gone before us and to mobilise the women in New Zealand to demand change."

Claire Mahon

Claire Mahon, an international human rights lawyer, will give some perspectives on what gender balance means for everyday Kiwi men and women.

"Everyone can play a role in redressing gender balance and it is important for our community for all of us to play a part."

This year's International Women's Day theme is #BalanceforBetter, focusing on how gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

Tickets for the event, starting at 5pm, are $10 including light refreshments and are available via the Zonta Rotorua Facebook page.

Local businesses, Redwoods Treewalk, Reading Cinemas, Rotorua Canopy Tours, Atticus Finch, and McLeods Booksellers have contributed to a raffle that will raise funds for the Zonta International Ending Child Marriage project and for the Forward Foundation.

Details:
When: Friday, 5pm
Where: Rotorua Library Te Aka Mauri
Tickets: $10 from the Zonta Rotorua Facebook page