Alumnae attend seminar on gender equality and inclusive leadership
Posted: 21 July 2025
On 8 July 2025, the Regional Women in Leadership Network hosted a dynamic seminar with Dr Anna Cody, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner. The event brought together Australia Awards alumnae from across South Asia and Mongolia to engage in a meaningful dialogue on gender equality, inclusive leadership and structural reform.
Dr Anna Cody, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
Lam-ya Mostaque, an alumna from Bangladesh, facilitated the seminar with a warm welcome, introducing Dr Cody as a distinguished human rights advocate and legal expert. Dr Cody leads the Australian Human Rights Commission’s efforts to eliminate discrimination and harassment, and to promote a fairer, more inclusive society.
Bangladeshi alumna Lam-ya Mostaque who facilitated the seminar.
Dr Cody began the seminar by reflecting on the significance of NAIDOC Week, which celebrates the strength and legacy of First Nations Australians. She then shared insights into Australia’s approach to addressing sex discrimination, emphasising the importance of gender-responsive budgeting and the integration of gender perspectives across all sectors. In her address, Dr Cody highlighted the need for committed leadership, robust data collection and inclusive policy development. She stressed that gender equality must be a cross-cutting priority, embedded in education, health, economic policy and beyond.
The seminar also provided space for regional voices. Alumnae highlighted the disconnect between official narratives and the lived experiences of women in their workplaces. They mentioned that despite claims from senior management that discrimination was not an issue, consultations revealed a different reality. They also noted the absence of comprehensive national policies and highlighted the need for stronger institutional accountability.
Dr Cody responded with empathy and clarity, emphasising the need for robust data collection, inclusive policy development and committed leadership. She emphasised that gender equality must be a cross-cutting priority and that both government and private sectors have a role to play in driving systemic change.
At the end of the seminar, participants mentioned that they had found the session deeply impactful. Mongolian alumna Bolormaa Ganbat said, “Dr Anna Cody’s session was incredibly insightful. Her emphasis on strong leadership, inclusive and diverse participation at the senior level, and making sure every voice is heard truly resonated with me. As a social worker and consultant working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, I was particularly struck by her call for brave actions to stop sexual harassment—an essential step toward building a safe and respectful organisational culture.”
Mongolian alumna Bolormaa Ganbat.
Pakistani alumna Tooba Khan said, “Dr Anna Cody shared powerful insights into the systemic challenges faced by women, particularly in regional and remote areas, and the leadership pathways we can build to overcome them. Her message around equity, inclusion and structural reform deeply resonated with me. Events like this are a vital reminder that real change begins with informed conversations and courageous, collective leadership.”
Alumna Tooba Khan from Pakistan.
“Dr Anna Cody shared powerful insights into the systemic challenges faced by women, particularly in regional and remote areas, and the leadership pathways we can build to overcome them. Her message around equity, inclusion and structural reform deeply resonated with me. Events like this are a vital reminder that real change begins with informed conversations and courageous, collective leadership.”