The CFMEU marks International Women’s Day – March 8 – by drawing attention to the achievements of women in the Australian construction industry, and encouraging more women to pursue a career in construction.

“Women work at all sorts of jobs in this industry,” said Dave Noonan, CFMEU National Construction Secretary.  “They are crane operators, carpenters, scaffolders and painters. They operate heavy plant on civil jobs and are increasingly involved in Australia’s resource sector – both as tradespersons and labourers.

“Listen to the stories on this website to discover the kinds of opportunities available and what women think about working in the Australian construction industry.”

The CFMEU encourages women to take up jobs in construction.

“When employers and governments complain about skill shortages, the CFMEU says there is a huge untapped market of local workers who are keen to work in this industry – as these women’s stories show.

"Employers should look to engaging more local women, instead of recruiting workers from overseas on short-term temporary migration programs,” Dave Noonan said.

Nearly 100 years' campaigning

International Women’s Day has long been associated with campaigns for women’s rights to work and be trained, to vote and hold public office, and for an end to discrimination.

The idea of the annual day came out of an International Conference of Working Women in 2010, attended by over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties and working women's clubs. The first International Women’s Day was held on March 19, 1911 when over one million women and men rallied around these issues in several countries.

Since 1913, the Day has been celebrated on March 8 and in 1975, during International Women’s Year, the day was given official recognition by the United Nations.  A number of countries, including China, Russia, Macedonia and Vietnam mark International Women's Day with a national holiday.

Check out activities for International Women’s Day in Australia and worldwide.