Balancing the scales: every story matters

IPAA Victoria’s 2026 International Women’s Day Gala brought together nearly 900 frontline staff, professionals and leaders from across the public purpose sector for an evening of connection, reflection and storytelling. Guided by this year’s UN Australia theme, the event, Balancing the scales: every story matters, invited attendees to consider the role of public purpose institutions in building fairer, more inclusive systems for all women and girls. 

Opening the conversation 

Host Virginia Trioli, journalist at the ABC, welcomed guests with her trademark warmth and openness. She reflected on the power of coming together as a sector to honour women’s leadership and lived experiences and encouraged attendees to engage with the theme and consider the steps their organisations can take to advance gender equality. 

Following a beautiful Welcome to Country by Mikayla George, Djirri Wurundjeri-William (Wurundjeri-baluk patriline) dancer, choreographer, cultural education leader of Djirri Djirri dance group and Traditional Custodian of Melbourne and surrounds, guests were introduced to the event artwork, Sisterhood, by Mutiwuti artist Tayla Donaczy. The piece, selected for its message of resilience and interconnection, framed the evening with a reminder that women’s stories are strengthened when shared. 

Keynote 

The keynote address from Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon provided one of the night’s most compelling moments. Drawing on her extensive work in violence prevention and justice system reform, Kate challenged the audience to confront the limitations of existing systems, many of which were never designed with women’s safety or experiences in mind. 

She highlighted the ongoing impacts of domestic and family violence, emphasising that for many women, the scales of justice remain deeply imbalanced. Through real cases and research insights, she illustrated how inequality is embedded not only in legal structures but also in cultural attitudes, implementation gaps and social responses. 

Yet her message was also one of possibility. Structural change, she noted, is achievable, and the public purpose sector has a critical role to play. She reminded the room that everyday actions matter too: offering belief, listening without judgment to disclosures of violence can be profound for survivors. Also, using one’s influence to create safer environments for all women. 

From these powerful insights, the evening shifted to a panel discussion exploring frontline experiences. 

Panel: voices from the frontline 

A powerful panel discussion followed, featuring: 

• Antoinette Braybrook AM, CEO, Djirra 
• Tania Farha, CEO, InTouch 
• Karen Fletcher, Executive Officer, Flat Out Inc 

Facilitated by Virginia, the conversation explored the theme through the lens of lived experience and frontline practice. 

Antoinette Braybrook spoke to the compounded barriers Aboriginal women face, including racism, child removal fears and systemic disadvantage. Despite decades of advocacy, she noted, these challenges remain entrenched. Her reflections underscored the urgent need to invest in Aboriginal women’s self determination and culturally safe support services. 

Tania Farha highlighted the overlapping challenges faced by migrant and refugee women, particularly visa insecurity and fear of authority. She described how legal and social systems can unintentionally magnify these pressures, reinforcing the importance of culturally informed, community grounded responses. 

Karen Fletcher challenged the notion that policing and prisons should be the primary response to complex social issues. Drawing on her long career across justice and health settings, she emphasised the value of early intervention, community led recovery and approaches that treat women not as offenders first, but as people shaped by trauma, exclusion and inequality. 

Collectively, the panellists reinforced a core truth: equity begins with centring the stories and needs of the most marginalised women.  

Closing reflections and shared purpose 

IPAA Victoria CEO Amanda Stevens closed the formalities by acknowledging the speakers, artists, partners and the IPAA Victoria board and team who brought the Gala to life. She encouraged attendees to carry these conversations into their workplaces, communities and networks, and to translate them into practical, ongoing action. 

As the formalities concluded, guests were invited to connect, reflect and celebrate together, with performances from an all women band providing a vibrant finale. 

Every story matters 

We heard from all our speakers that balancing the scales is not symbolic work, it is structural, cultural and ongoing. And it begins with listening and believing. 

IPAA Victoria is privileged to be able to facilitate these discussions, where diverse perspectives and stories can be heard. Let’s continue the conversations and the action, beyond the room.