Headline speakers heading to Kirikiriroa Hamilton for gender equity series

A stellar lineup of speakers are heading to Kirikiriroa Hamilton on July 21 for free entry discussion series EQUALIZE, celebrating women in sport, business, culture and society.

Speaking at the event will be a group of twelve remarkable women including stand-up comedian and writer Michèle A’Court ONZM and Olympian Sarah Cowley Ross as MCs; entrepreneur Theresa Gattung CNZM; founder of Iranian Women in NZ Dr Forough Amin; 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year Ruahei Demant; and GirlBoss entrepreneur Alexia Hilbertidou.

Held at Claudelands Event Centre, topics include success in sport and life, a global perspective on being a girl in 2023, stepping up to realise your goals, body positivity, and pathways ahead for gender equity.

EQUALIZE Hamilton will run from 10am – 1pm, and kicks off the full EQUALIZE series which will also be delivered in Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

Event MC and best-selling author, writer and comedian Michèle A’Court ONZM says: “It is such an honour to share the stage with these incredible women in Hamilton, diving into issues women face in Aotearoa and beyond and also celebrating our collective success.”

GirlBoss entrepreneur Alexia Hilbertidou adds: “It’s vital young women have a platform so we can break down barriers and defy societal norms. Bringing together these incredible wāhine for EQUALIZE gives us just that – a focus for conversation about how we reshape the landscape for future generations.”

Hamilton guests join an incredible line up of 50 women from New Zealand and around the world speaking at various EQUALIZE events.

The final event in the series will see Hollywood screen creative, activist and football enthusiast Natalie Portman join former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura, and Black Ferns star Ruby Tui for EQUALIZE: The State of Play, an interview and panel event at Auckland’s Aotea Centre on August 14.

EQUALIZE has been designed and produced by the New Zealand Story Group to showcase New Zealand’s role in driving gender equity globally. New Zealand Story Group is a government agency charged with protecting, enhancing and promoting the country’s international brand.

Rangatahi are encouraged to attend the Hamilton event and schools can find out more about bringing pupils at www.eyeson.nz/schools

All EQUALIZE events are free of charge and open to everyone. No tickets are required, with the exception of the August 14 event in Auckland for which a limited-number of free tickets can be secured.

For more information about EQUALIZE, including the full line up of speakers and venues, visit www.eyeson.nz/equalize or follow @eyesonnz on Instagram and Facebook.