Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025

On Thursday 6 March, Poche Director Professor Shawana Andrews presented at the University’s International Women's Day Symposium.

In honour of the theme of March Forward, the University of Melbourne’s International Women’s Day event showcased and celebrated the contributions to advancing gender equality through education and research.

Professor Andrews’ presentation was titled lowanna tunapry, women’s knowledge.

Shining a light on the sustained attack, since colonisation, on women’s thought, knowledges, place and being, the presentation highlighted how post-colonial narratives dismiss the gendered experience of women, and how the Aboriginal standpoint has been calibrated to the male experience.

Professor Andrews emphasised the great achievement of Aboriginal women, which is hard won and a testament to their fortitude.

The Poche Centre has worked hard for 10 years to create and support academic pathways for Indigenous PhD scholars, the majority of whom are women. This year, the Poche Centre has welcomed a cohort of seven new PhD scholars, four of whom are women.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are marching forward, building the social and academic capital and critical mass of expert Aboriginal women researchers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s knowledge shines through for all who wish to see it.

Professor Andrews’ presentation was the first of three. She was joined by Professor Ada Cheung and Professor Leah Ruppanner.

About the speakers

Professor Shawana Andrews

Associate Dean, Indigenous 
Director of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences 

Professor Shawana Andrews is a Trawlwoolway Palawa woman, a social worker and a public health researcher with 20 years’ experience working in Aboriginal health across the health and higher education sectors in both clinical and academic roles.

Professor Ada Cheung

Professorial Fellow in Endocrinology
Medicine - Austin Health

Professor Ada Cheung has made significant improvements to the health and well-being of trans and gender diverse people in Australia since establishing the Trans Health Research Group.

Professor Leah Ruppanner

Professor in Sociology, Social and Political Sciences
Arts

Professor Leah Ruppanner is a Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab and the Gender Equity Initiative. Her work has broadened understanding of gender disparities in domestic cognitive labour (the “mental load”). Prof Ruppanner uses a range of modes to communicate her research including her podcast MissPerceived.