BPW Australia

18/10/2026

A long awaited Strategy offering a long-term framework to improve outcomes for serving and ex-serving women veterans.

Today, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs announced an important milestone in gender equality: the launch of Australia’s first Women Veterans’ Strategy.

With a focus on systemic and structural change rather than one-off initiatives, it’s been shaped through broad consultation with serving and ex-serving women across ranks, service types and eras and geographic locations, alongside ex-service organisations, academia, health and service providers, government and international counterparts.

The Strategy offers a long-term framework to improve outcomes for serving and ex-serving women veterans.

For more information about the Strategy, visit www.dva.gov.au/women-veterans-strategy

30/09/2026

📍 Where you live can make a big difference when you need help with domestic and family violence.

For women in rural, regional and remote communities, support can be a long way from home.

👉️ There may be no local specialist service. Getting to an in-person appointment can mean hours of travel. Finding somewhere safe to live can be difficult. Childcare and transport can be limited. Phone and internet services might be patchy. And in a small community, privacy can be hard to find.

NRWC is advocating for more targeted services for women and children experiencing violence in rural, regional and remote Australia.

🔗 You can read our recent submission to the Second Action Plan (National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032): https://nrwc.com.au/resources/position-papers/submissions/256-nrwc-submission-to-the-second-action-plan/file

23/09/2026

Thank you to our Founder Lena Madesin Phillips

23/09/2026

🌿 **AUSTRALIAN YOUNG BPW AWARD 2026 | NATIONAL WINNER – MARWA WASIQE** 🌿

Congratulations to Marwa Wasiqe of Western Australia, winner of the 2026 Australian Young BPW Award, presented at the Golden Sunset Welcome Cocktail during the highly successful 41st BPW Australia National Conference held in Perth, Western Australia, in July 2026.

The Australian Young BPW Award celebrates the achievements, leadership and potential of women under 35 who are making a difference in their professions, businesses and communities, while supporting the advancement of other women.

Marwa's commitment to empowering young women began at just 15 years of age when she co-founded AFG Young Leaders. Through her advocacy, mentoring and work in education and employment, she has supported more than 100 women, delivered over 70 workshops and created pathways into study, business and work. Her leadership builds confidence, independence and inclusion, empowering young women and multicultural communities and creating lasting community change.

Her professional experience spans community development, cultural engagement and youth advocacy across government, healthcare and not-for-profit organisations. A former member of BPW Belmont, Marwa has been a valued contributor to club activities and a guest speaker at several events, sharing her personal journey and passion for empowering women.

Her presentation at Conference was a powerful reminder of the impact that young women are already making in their communities and the importance of supporting the next generation of women leaders.

**The award was presented by BPW Australia National President Gillian Lewis**, with the evening celebrating the achievements of three outstanding national finalists: Marwa Wasiqe, Rabia Aftab and Yiting Gu.

BPW Australia extends its sincere appreciation to **Mayne Pharma, our Gold Conference Sponsor and partner for the Golden Sunset Welcome Cocktail and Australian Young BPW Award, and to Farida Forough (pictured with Marwa)**, who represented Mayne Pharma at the event. Thank you for supporting the recognition and development of emerging women leaders and helping us celebrate the achievements of the next generation.

Congratulations, Marwa, on this wonderful recognition of your leadership, dedication and commitment to creating opportunities for other women. We look forward to seeing the impact you continue to make in the years ahead!

💚 BPW Celebrating the next generation of women leaders.

21/09/2026

🌱 Applications are still open for the BPW International Agriculture Award 2026!

Women working in sustainable agriculture around the world are invited to take part in this international initiative celebrating their leadership, innovation and contribution to shaping the future of agriculture.

This is your opportunity to share your work, amplify your impact and be part of a global movement recognizing women who are cultivating change. 🌍

📅 Apply by October 13, 2026 – 23:59 CEST

👉 Access the application form through the link or QR code on the card and help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with women in agriculture in your network.

https://bpw-international-award-2026.base44.app/international-bpw-award

18/09/2026

Today marks International Equal Pay Day, a day the United Nations set aside to spotlight a simple, stubborn truth: women around the world still earn significantly less than men for work of equal value.

Here in Australia, the story is much the same. WGEA's total remuneration data shows women earn, on average, 79 cents for every dollar men earn - a gap of 21.1% across the private sector. Over the course of a year, that difference adds up to $28,356.

This isn't just a statistic. It's fewer opportunities, less financial security, and a lifetime of lost earnings for women, compounding across careers, retirement savings and economic independence.

Equal pay for equal work has been law in Australia for decades. The gap isn't about legality - it's about structural inequality that still needs to be addressed, here and globally.

On International Equal Pay Day, we stand with women everywhere calling for real, lasting change. Because equal pay isn't a privilege. It's a right.

18/09/2026

2026 BPW AUSTRALIA LUMINA AWARDS

Bhavini Singh – Freda Miriklis Women’s Empowerment Award

Congratulations to Bhavini Singh of BPW Sydney, winner of the 2026 Freda Miriklis Women’s Empowerment Award, presented at the Lumina Gala Awards during the 41st BPW Australia National Conference in Perth, Western Australia, in July 2026.

Presented by BPW Australia National President Gillian Lewis, this award recognises a woman who has excelled in promoting the Women’s Empowerment Principles and demonstrated tangible impact in women’s leadership, empowerment and systemic change.

Bhavini’s work reflects the principles in action. Her contribution spans leadership and organisational commitment to gender equality, workplace equality, education and professional development, enterprise development, community initiatives and advocacy, together with measurement and reporting of progress.

Through this work, she has helped create opportunities for women to develop their leadership capability, participate more fully in business and professional life, and contribute to initiatives that strengthen gender equality beyond the workplace.

The Freda Miriklis Women’s Empowerment Award recognises not simply advocacy for change, but the practical application of principles that help embed equality into organisations and communities.

Congratulations Bhavini on this significant recognition and your continued commitment to advancing women’s empowerment.

17/09/2026

Congratulations to **Carol Hanlon of BPW Belmont**, winner of the **2026 Power to Make a Difference Award**, presented at the Lumina Gala Awards during the highly successful 41st BPW Australia National Conference in Perth, Western Australia, in July 2026.

Presented by BPW Australia National President **Gillian Lewis**, this award recognises a BPW member whose leadership, service and commitment have created meaningful and lasting change for women and their communities.

Carol’s contribution spans more than five decades, with a particular focus on strengthening women’s economic participation, enterprise development and access to opportunity. Through her work supporting small business and entrepreneurship, more than **44,000 enterprises** have benefited from programs, networks and initiatives designed to help women build sustainable businesses and greater economic independence.

Her commitment to women’s advancement has also extended through the **BPW Business Incubator**, international advocacy and participation in United Nations forums for more than a decade. Her work has been recognised nationally and internationally, reflecting a lifetime dedicated to turning ideas into practical opportunities for women.

Carol exemplifies what it means to use experience, leadership and persistence to make a difference — not just for one individual or one organisation, but across generations of women in business and the wider community.

Congratulations Carol on this well-deserved recognition and on an extraordinary contribution to BPW and women’s economic empowerment.

13/09/2026

At the highly successful 41st BPW Australia National Conference held in Perth in July 2026, BPW Australia proudly recognised **Bhavini Singh of BPW Sydney** as the recipient of the **Pat Harrison Award** at the Lumina Gala Awards.

The Pat Harrison Award recognises a Club President who has demonstrated strong leadership, mentoring, development of members and community impact.

Bhavini has transformed BPW Sydney through strategic growth, mentoring and future-focused programs. She recruited eight younger members, created leadership pathways within the Club and led nationally endorsed AI initiatives designed to build capability and confidence.

Her leadership has also expanded community partnerships and created opportunities for members to step onto larger platforms, including preparing five members to present at the United Nations.

Through this combination of growth, innovation, mentoring and opportunity, Bhavini has significantly elevated the profile and influence of BPW Sydney nationally, regionally and internationally.

Congratulations Bhavini on this outstanding recognition and your leadership in building the next generation of BPW women.

12/09/2026

Congratulations Carole- so well deserved

2026 BPW NATIONAL LUMINA AWARDS | JEAN ARNOT AWARD

✨ Congratulations to Carole Shaw, winner of the 2026 Jean Arnot Award

Presented at the highly successful 41st BPW Australia National Conference in Perth, Western Australia, in July 2026, the BPW National Lumina Awards celebrated women whose leadership, advocacy and service have made a lasting difference. BPW Australia was proud to recognise Carole Shaw of BPW Melbourne with the Jean Arnot Award, BPW Australia’s most prestigious national honour, presented by BPW Australia National President Gillian Lewis.

The Jean Arnot Award recognises outstanding commitment and service to women through BPW, nationally or internationally. Carole’s career reflects that purpose. An internationally respected gender equality strategist, she has worked across Europe, Australia, Asia and the Pacific in gender and social development, humanitarian and conflict settings. As co-founder of JERA International, Carole has advocated for women’s rights, strengthened organisations and supported women to challenge the treatment of those too often pushed to the edges of society.

Her influence continues through the leaders she mentors, sponsors and strengthens across the region. Carole also brought her experience to the Lumina Gala stage with her address, “Opportunities and Challenges in Building a Gender Equal World.”

Congratulations Carole on this very special recognition and on a career that continues to advance women, strengthen leadership and create change.

💜 Women Lighting the Path to Tomorrow