Celebrations already have begun in the Illawarra with many more events this week including art exhibitions, poetry readings and a walk around Lake Illawarra.

“Given the current climate surrounding gender equality in the workplace and the momentum of women’s issues in general, now is a great time get involved and celebrate women’s achievements,” Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said.

Cr Saliba said she was proud that Shellharbour City Council was already leading the charge in respect to gender equality, with women comprising just under half of the organisation’s senior management.

Project Contemporary Artspace and The Art Bar in Kiama all have exhibitions this week to celebrate women. While the South Coast Writers Centre will host poetry and readings at Wollongong Art Gallery on Thursday.

Read More: What it means to be a feminist according to Jessica Rowe

Shellharbour City Council has partnered with Healthy Cities Illawarra for a community 5km or 8km walk Thursday evening with afternoon tea and water stations provided.

Port Kembla’s newest entertainment/food venue, the Servo Food Truck Bar, will have an array of female entertainers for a variety show Thursday night.

International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.