The majestic halls of the Victorian Parliament echoed with celebration and purpose on Monday as community organisations Women of Wyndham (WOW), Multicultural Women of the World (MWOW), and Multicultural Consulting Services (MCS) jointly hosted a powerful International Women’s Day 2025 event under the theme: “Celebrating Migrant Women’s Contribution in Victoria’s Big Build.”
The event spotlighted the pivotal role migrant women have played in building Victoria’s infrastructure and workforce—while simultaneously advocating for support, recognition, and equality.
Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence, Natalie Hutchins, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and delivered a heartfelt keynote.
“We cannot talk about Victoria’s growth without acknowledging the women—particularly migrant women—who have contributed to it from the ground up,” said Minister Hutchins.
“WOW, MWOW, and MCS have been trailblazers in providing support to victims of family violence, offering a pathway to healing through employment, education and empowerment.”
Joining her were special guests Minister Natalie Suleyman, VMC Chair Viv Nguyen, and MP Luba Grigorovitch, all of whom underscored the urgency of gender equity and inclusive policies for migrant women.
“The resilience and resourcefulness of migrant women deserve not just celebration—but serious investment and structural support,”
said Viv Nguyen.
The celebration also honoured several community champions and organisations whose commitment to supporting survivors of family violence has had a meaningful impact. These changemakers have worked across sectors to connect survivors with housing, skills training, and career opportunities, making a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of women.
At the heart of the movement stood Monica Sharma Raizada, whose leadership across WOW and MWOW was praised by many for mobilising grassroots efforts and securing strategic partnerships.
“Monica’s vision and commitment have transformed how we support migrant women in Victoria,” said a fellow community leader.
“Her work has redefined what true empowerment looks like.”
Former VMC Commissioner Sisay Dinku was also recognised for his long-standing contributions to settlement services, training and corporate engagement aimed at enabling newly arrived migrants to become self-reliant.
“This event wasn’t just a celebration—it was a statement,” said Monica Sharma Raizada.
“A statement that migrant women are not just participants in our society—they are leaders, builders, and changemakers.”
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from WOW, MWOW, and MCS to continue advocating for inclusive policies, economic opportunities, and a future free from violence for all women—regardless of background.
As International Women’s Day 2025 draws to a close, the message from the Victorian Parliament is clear: migrant women are central to Victoria’s progress—and their voices, stories and contributions must be at the forefront of every conversation on equity and empowerment.
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