Perth Voice Interactive

HUMAN rights lawyer and hostage survivor Rabia Siddique is among a lineup of formidable women speaking at this year’s week-long International Women’s Day celebrations put on by Bayswater council.

The headline event “Women’s Impact” is an afternoon discussion with Ms Siddique, a Perth-born retired British army officer, international human rights lawyer, and a survivor of a 2005 hostage-taking by extremists in Basra, Iraq. 

She’s speaking on March 7 alongside Carol Innes, co-director of Aboriginal-led collective ‘Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together’ project to improve relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. 

Other talks include career counsellor Aly Bannister on running a business for first time female business owners and “mumpreneurs”, and Nikki Di Costa’s session on “Busy Women’s Syndrome” and how to navigate the mental load of multiple expectations of motherhood, a career, and a social life. 

While it’s International Women’s Day, mayor Filomena Piffaretti says the celebrations “cover a wide range of topics, from sustainable fashion and health and wellbeing, to technology and business,” including a girls’ coding workshop. 

“Whatever your interests or background, there’s something for everyone”.

The talks are free and times and bookings are via bayswater.wa.gov.au/IWD