[Perth, 20 February 2024] – UN Women Australia is excited to announce Rabia Siddique, a human rights lawyer named as Australia’s Top 100 Women of Influence, and Money School Founder and Financial Educator Powerhouse, Lacey Filipich, will be live on stage for UN Women Australia's International Women’s Day on March 8.
Having survived a hostage crisis in Iraq, Ms Siddique garnered global attention for making the British military accountable for silencing her about her ordeal and role in releasing captured special forces soldiers. Her brave action for suing the British Government for sexism and racism, against public ridicule, became a catalyst for policy change to ensure a fairer workplace for women and cultural minorities in the military, and earnt her a Queen’s Commendation in 2006.
Financial Educator Powerhouse and Money School Founder, Lacey Filipich will also Headline the event. Having started saving 50% of every dollar received at by 10, and kicking off her investing career with a property at 19, Ms Filipich was struck by tragedy, becoming bed-ridden from burn out and losing her little sister Megan to suicide in the space of a few months.
It was the turning point that led Ms Filipich to work towards financial independence and become ‘time rich’ - which she achieved at 31. Ms Filipich's inspirational journey has inspired hundreds of thousands, with her TEDx talk garnering over a million views.
“Rabia and Lacey have both overcome incredible adversities in life and have turned these experiences into powerful, inspiring, and relatable lessons for others. We’re absolutely delighted to have these two change makers for this rare opportunity,” said Simone Clarke, CEO of UN Women Australia.
Ms Siddique’s Headline event for International Women’s Day comes only a few years after being honoured by the British Museum for International Women’s Day in 2022, where she was announced as one of the top five strong global female voices.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’, based on the priority theme for the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women, exploring the pathways to greater economic inclusion for women and girls everywhere.
Ms Siddique and Filipich join an inspiring speaker lineup for UN Women Australia’s International Women’s Day events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra. The events will also feature a national headline presentation from Michele Bullock, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, engaging in a rare conversation about her career and passion for diverse and equal leadership. A live virtual stream of all events will also be available on Friday, 8 March 2024. For details and tickets, please visit iwd.net.au.
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About UN Women Australia
UN Women Australia is a non-profit organisation committed to achieving gender equality for all women, empowering them to contribute their unique knowledge and skills to help create a better world for themselves, their families and their communities. Working in over 100 countries across the globe, UN Women runs vital programs that provide women and girls access to technology, training programs and safe spaces, empowering women and girls to obtain an education, become leaders in their community and build a brighter, more equal future for us all.
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