A sobering discussion on International Women's Day 2025
On Monday 3rd March, more than 100 people joined us at the Amora Riverside Hotel, for a discussion on one of the most crucial challenges of our society: gender-based violence -- how it impacts individuals, workplaces, and society, and what actionable pathways there are for creating positive, sustainable change.
We were honoured to have two distinguished speakers, sharing their insights and expertise: Professor Kate - Fitz-Gibbon, Chair or Respect Victoria, and Sylvia Hadjiantoniou, CEO of PRONIA.
Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon is an award-winning researcher whose work focuses on addressing violence against women and children, improving system responses, and informing evidence-based prevention and early intervention efforts.
She has advised the Australian and UK governments on violence prevention policies and justice system responses, and has contributed to global initiatives aimed at eliminating gender-based violence.
In 2021, Kate was appointed by the Victorian Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence as Chair ofRespect Victoria, and in 2024 she attended the Davos World Economic Forum, where she was was recognised as a Young Global Leader.
Sylvia Hadjiantoniou is a highly experienced Board Director and Executive. who has led public, private and not-for-profit organisations. Her area expertise is in strategy, capital projects, transformation programs, partner and stakeholder management. She is committed to advancing social justice by providing support services and improving access to affordable housing, community infrastructure, health care and education.
In her capacity as CEO of PRONIA, she has been focusing in addressing issues such as domestic violence, mental health, and the ageing population.
Between the two of them, there is very significant insight into the current reality of gender relations, including equity, financial literacy, fairness, and more importantly, the causes of inequality, the cause of gendered violence, and the impact it has on people.
The event was a sobering, eye opening opportunity to understand how domestic violence — a national epidemic — spreads outside the domestic sphere and affects workplaces and communities across the country.
More than 100 people attended the sold-out event, among them prominent members of the Hellenic Australian community, former HACCI Excellence Award Winners, acknowledged female business and community leaders – and two groups of year 11 students from Oakleigh Grammar and Alphington Grammar.
We’re very grateful to Kate Fitz-Gibbon and Sylvia Hadjiantoniou for sharing their insights, and to Alex Christou for steering the discussion.
Most of all, we’re grateful to everyone who came, inspiring us to continue holding discussions like this.