Hosts of the 2026 International Women’s Day Breakfast, Parker Coles Curtis, are bringing big names and bold conversations to the Hyatt in support of Fearless Women. Photo: Parker Coles Curtis.
International Women’s Day is designed to celebrate the women in our lives while reflecting on the position of women in our society and whether it is improving or regressing. This year’s theme, Balancing the Scales, highlights the need to ensure fair and inclusive justice for women and girls.
This broad theme will be explored across Canberra, with plenty of discussions, talks, panels, lunches and workshops featuring some of the territory’s – and the nation’s – most impressive women.
Some events will focus on providing empowering workshops for women and girls to participate in; others will encourage networking within the business community; and still others will include talks from groundbreaking women.
With many events sure to sell out, book early so you don’t miss out.
A premium International Women’s Day Breakfast delivering timely insights on women’s financial security. Photo: Parker Coles Curtis.
International Women’s Day Breakfast
When: 4 March, 7 am to 9:15 am
Where: Hyatt Hotel, 120 Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla
Cost: Tickets $200 per person | $1800 table of 10 | Book online.
This panel will examine how economic vulnerability, violence, and access to justice intersect in the lives of women and how survivor-centred, economically empowering and legally effective systems are needed to achieve gender equality.
Hosted by Parker Coles Curtis, the International Women’s Day Breakfast 2026 is a premium, purpose-led event raising 100 per cent of profits for Fearless Women.
Aligned with this year’s International Women’s Day 2026 theme, Balance the Scales, this event responds to the urgent call for action to ensure fair, inclusive and accessible justice for every woman and girl.
Despite decades of progress, systemic barriers remain deeply entrenched. Women continue to experience disproportionate levels of violence, economic insecurity and unequal access to justice, with real-world outcomes falling far short of legal protections.
This breakfast brings together leaders from economics, law, government and community to explore how women’s economic security, safety and justice are inextricably linked, and why progress in one area cannot occur without progress in the others.
Panellists include:
- Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance & Women
- Cherelle Murphy, EY Oceania Chief Economist
- Natasha Janssens, Founder, Money With Cents.
The National Gallery hosts bestselling author and speaker, Taryn Brumfitt. Photo: Visit Canberra.
Property Council of Australia International Women’s Day 2026 Lunch at the National Gallery
When: 26 February, 12 pm to 2:30 pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place
Cost: Tickets from $219 to $329 | Book online.
Taking place in the National Gallery’s Gandel Hall, this Women’s Day lunch will feature a special talk from 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt, along with industry women in the property sector.
Brumfitt is an award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author and a renowned speaker, whose message has reached more than 200 million people across the globe. She is the co-executive director of The Embrace Collective, founder of the Body Image Movement and the author of numerous books bringing the issue of body image to the forefront and being recognised by UN Women, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, and the Geena Davis Institute.
Stories of healing and connection with Gina Chick. Image: Humanitix.
International Women’s Day with Gina Chick – Empowering Women
When: 2 March, 5 pm to 7 pm
Where: Canberra Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Ave, Braddon
Cost: Tickets from $30 to $145 | Book online.
Head to Canberra Rex Hotel for an unforgettable evening with Gina Chick, an author and fierce advocate for feminine resilience in the face of challenges. She will be sharing an extraordinary journey story of healing and connection, tapping into universal features of the human experience with a rare talent for depth, warmth and good humour.
This talk also raises money for Fearless Women, a Canberra charity supporting women and girls to live to the fullest, with confidence, courage and fearlessness.
Celebrate IWD with a long lunch, matched wines and inspiring speakers. Image: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
International Women’s Day Luncheon at the Yacht Club
When: 3 March, 11:30 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Yacht Club, 1 Mariner Pl, Yarralumla
Cost: Tickets $120 per person | $1000 per table of 10 | Book online.
Celebrate International Women’s Day with a relaxed long lunch at the Yacht Club.
Enjoy a beautifully curated three-course menu with matched wines, a themed cocktail on arrival, and a program of inspiring guest speakers throughout the afternoon.
With thoughtful details, non-alcoholic options available, and lucky door prizes to be won, it’s a wonderful way to come together and mark the occasion.
Some of Canberra’s leading businesswomen reflect on the issues facing the industry. Image: Canberra Business Chamber.
2026 International Women’s Day Business Breakfast
When: 5 March, 8 am
Where: The Jetty- East Kiosk, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes, ACT
Cost: Tickets from $35 to $70 | Book online.
Bringing together a diverse range of voices from Canberra women in business, this special breakfast from the Business Chamber aims to centre reflection and dialogue, while providing an opportunity for networking.
Panellists include:
- Anna Neelagama – CEO of the Master Builders Association of the ACT
- Rachel Healy – Owner of Capital Lashes Canberra
- Alexandra Hordern – General Manager of Regulatory and Consumer Policy, Insurance Council of Australia
- Helen Leayr – Managing Director of Communication Link
- Louise MacDonald – Office Managing Partner at Ernst and Young.
Big names come to the Hyatt for the Manager’s Forum. Image: Humanitix.
Canberra Manager’s Forum celebrating International Women’s Day 2026
When: 5 March, 11:30 am
Where: Hyatt Hotel, 120 Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla
Cost: Non-member ticket $223 plus fees | Book online.
The Canberra Manager’s Forum welcomes a great panel to speak on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, promoting justice, safety and dignity for the women of the world.
This luncheon will feature former NSW Premier and current Managing Director of Enterprise and Business with Optus, Gladys Berejiklian, and Genevieve Jacobs, CEO of Hands Across Canberra. Also joining the event are former police officer Rose MacDonald and her business partner Andrew Collins, a former defence intelligence operative, who have both worked together to create a data protection platform for those suffering from family violence.
This IWD panel focuses on barriers to women’s justice. Image: YWCA Canberra.
IWD Panel 2026 at the Street Theatre
When: 11 March, 12 pm to 1 pm
Where: The Street Theatre, 5 Childers Street, Canberra
Cost: Free | Book online.
The theme for the 2026 International Women’s Day is Balancing the Scales, calling on the public to demand fairness, inclusivity and accessibility in justice for all women and girls.
Though progress has been made, the YWCA is here to say that barriers to women’s justice remain, with its Domestic Violence Support Service receiving an average of 33 new referrals a month.
A panel of experts will meet to reflect on the persistence of this issue and the demand for services, despite real concerted efforts to stamp out the problem. Panellists include:
- Juliette Ford – ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner
- Jazinta George – Case Manager, Domestic Violence Support Service, YWCA Canberra
- Amy Lindner – Detective A/Superintendent Criminal Investigations – Family & Sexual Violence
- Leah Dwyer – Panel facilitator and Director of Policy and Advocacy, YWCA Canberra.
A more active Women’s Day event offers workshops and interactive stalls. Image: Humanitix.
International Women’s Day – She Speaks. She Leads. She Inspires – Canberra Labor Club
When: 11 April, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: Canberra Labor Club, 51 Chandler St, Belconnen
Cost: Free | Book online.
This free Women’s Day event at the Labor Club is a diverse day offering a broad range of empowering events for local women and girls to get involved with.
Organised loosely with a “drop-in” style of attendance, visitors can pick and choose the events throughout the day they’d like to join. There will be workshops throughout the day, with grounding sessions and classes all about empowerment. There will also be interactive stalls.
