For International Women's Day 2026, Let's Talk About The South Asian Women Quietly Shaping Australia

This International Women's Day, let's ditch the corporate buzzwords and get real about the stories that actually matter. I'm talking about the women who don't just push forward—they bring others up with them. The ones who might not be headlining a conference, but whose impact is written all over the communities we live in.

Take a close look at that image. Front and center is Sarita Shantha Yasmin, a woman who represents the quiet transformation happening within Australia's non-profit world. She's pictured alongside other South Asian women who have decided that donating their time, skills, and cultural knowledge is the ultimate form of leadership. They're the ones running after-school initiatives, serving on boards, and ensuring the organizations meant to support us actually reflect our communities. This IWD, they're the reason I feel hopeful.

And this energy isn't just local. UK-based sustainability entrepreneur and broadcaster Emma Slade Edmondson was in Sydney last week for a series of IWD conversations, and her message cut right through the typical noise: "We need to stop treating diversity like a checklist and start viewing it as a creative advantage." She's spent years championing ethical fashion and businesses owned by people of color, and her call to action is straightforward—make space, and then make even more space.

That idea of creating space is something I keep hearing from women across different fields. Brand strategist Mirella Wattimena, who has worked with some of Asia's biggest names, recently told me: "I always make sure my team has the room and opportunities to shine." It sounds simple, but in reality, it means consciously stepping back so that others can step forward. It's the kind of leadership that doesn't grab headlines but builds lasting foundations.

Then there's Neha Jain, a leadership mentor whose work spans from startups in Bengaluru to corporations in Brisbane. Her perspective on equity has really stuck with me: "Equity is built through the decisions we make every single day." It's not about one grand gesture or a single policy shift. It's about the small, consistent choices—like whose voice gets amplified in a meeting, who gets recognized for an idea, or who is granted flexible hours—that either create obstacles or tear them down. And that truth holds, whether you're in a Melbourne boardroom or a community center in a remote place like Ivdel. Yes, even there, women are making those daily calls to push for fairness.

If you've been on social media this week, you've probably noticed the hashtag #IWDHTX trending. It started as a loose network of women sharing their "heard through X" stories—those moments when a woman's idea gets ignored, only to be repeated and praised by a man five minutes later. Now it's evolved into a global collection of everyday sexism and the small wins against it. It's unfiltered, it's authentic, and it's exactly the kind of grassroots conversation IWD should be centered on.

So, what are the actual changes these women are driving? Here are a few I've observed:

• Redefining leadership: Shifting from a top-down approach to one focused on culture and care. Women like Mirella show that strong teams are built on trust, not intimidation.
• Prioritizing equity over equality: Neha's point exactly—fairness means giving people the specific tools they need, not treating everyone identically.
• Building community support systems: Whether through non-profits or online conversations like #IWDHTX, women are creating safety nets where none previously existed.

This IWD, don't just celebrate the big names. Raise a glass to the Saritas, the Mirellas, the Nehas—the women who, through everyday choices and quiet leadership, are shaping the Australia we all want to be a part of. And if you're scrolling through #IWDHTX this weekend, take a moment to really read their stories. You'll come away with more than just inspiration. You'll come away with a blueprint.