International Women’s Day 2026
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 2, 2 April 2026, page no 27.
International Women’s Day 2026 was marked on Sunday 8 March. Aligning with the UN Women Australia theme Balance the Scales, the QTU highlighted the practical actions taken collectively through everyday acts of allyship that help address gender inequality.
One such inequality is period poverty, defined by UN Women as the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, education, and social support required to manage menstruation safely and with dignity. Period poverty can directly affect a student’s ability to participate fully in their education.
There wouldn’t be many teachers or school leaders who haven’t helped at least one student access period products so they did not miss learning opportunities. These individual acts of allyship reflect the longstanding commitment of QTU members to making a tangible difference for students and their families.
At an organisational level, QTU policy has long supported initiatives aimed at ending period poverty. Since its establishment in 2015, Queensland-based national charity Share the Dignity has worked to ensure dignity for all through advocacy, education, and public health initiatives, including biannual Dignity Drives and the installation of Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs).
In recognition of this work, Share the Dignity was invited to attend the QTU Women’s Breakfast held prior to the annual Union Reps Conference. A DVM information stall was available during registration and breaks, and delegates heard an address from Hannah Colville, DVM Projects Coordinator. QTU Vice-President Leah Olsson and members of the Women Teachers and Girls Education Committee (WTGEC) welcomed delegates and reinforced the QTU’s strong support for the increasing installation of DVMs in primary schools.
Ahead of QTU State Council on Saturday 7 March, WTGEC coordinated the collection of period product donations from Council delegates and proxies. This initiative uses the quarterly statewide meeting as an opportunity to raise awareness and demonstrate collective allyship.
The response from members was overwhelmingly generous, with donations filling both the collection bin and additional storage bags. Upon delivery, Share the Dignity staff described QTU members as exceptionally generous — a reflection of the understanding that small, practical acts of allyship can have a lasting impact.
Thank you to QTU members for your generosity and commitment to allyship throughout International Women’s Day 2026.