International Women’s Day Forum Highlights Women’s Voices in War, Memory, and Peace Building
Community leaders, scholars, artists and members of the public gathered at RMIT University on Saturday 7 March for the 2026 International Women’s Day Forum: Women’s Voices in War, Memory, and The Pursuit of Peace. The forum focused on women’s experiences of conflict, historical memory, and peace‑building.
The forum opened with an Acknowledgement of Country by Associate Professor Dr Jing Qi, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr Jimmy Li. Dr Li emphasised that peace should not be understood as a settled historical achievement, but as an ongoing process—one that must be actively renewed through education, dialogue, and honest remembrance. He highlighted the importance of listening to women’s voices, noting that women’s experiences of war have too often been marginalised or silenced.
Deputy Mayor Cr Li Zhang of the City of Glen Eira spoke about the significance of International Women’s Day as both a celebration of women’s leadership and a reminder of persistent global inequalities. She noted that women and girls often bear the greatest impact of war and violence, and emphasised that preserving women’s stories with dignity is essential to building understanding and promoting peace. Cr Zhang also highlighted the role of community forums in fostering intergenerational learning and dialogue within multicultural communities.
Cr Gladys Liu of the City of Melbourne spoke about the City’s commitment to inclusivity and respectful community engagement. She said that while history cannot be changed, it must be learned from, particularly to ensure that women and children are not going to suffer.
The forum featured a series of presentations examining women’s testimony and memory. Professor Yuki Tanaka spoke on Sharing Pain Generates Hope, recounting the story of atomic bomb survivor Suzuko Numata, who reflected on shared suffering and renewal through the image of a wounded yet surviving paulownia tree. Professor Gil‑Soo Han examined The Kim Bok‑dong Legacy, highlighting the lasting influence of the late survivor‑activist’s advocacy and calling for dignity and justice not only through historical recognition, but also in everyday life.
Christine Kim, President of the Alliance for Peace and Memory, spoke on The Power of Voice, sharing the story of Kim Hak‑sun, whose public testimony broke decades of silence around wartime sexual violence and became a turning point in global awareness and advocacy. Author Georgina Banks presented the story of her great‑aunt Dorothy “Bud” Gwendoline Howard Elmes, drawing attention to the Bangka Island massacre in WWII and the importance of truth‑telling in addressing long‑silenced histories.
Musical performances by Stephanie Chen on flute and Young Rang Kim on gayageum created powerful moments of reflection, complementing the forum’s themes of remembrance and resilience.
A panel discussion and Q&A explored how younger generations—many without direct experience of war—can engage meaningfully with histories of conflict. Speakers emphasised that education, storytelling and the arts play a vital role in preserving historical memory, and that peace‑building and respect for women begin in everyday life.
Co‑hosted by the Alliance for Peace and Memory, Chinese Australians for Peace Association, Friends of “Comfort Women” in Melbourne, Asian Australian Volunteers, and the Chinese Australian Studies Forum at RMIT, the forum reaffirmed a shared commitment to honour women’s voices, remember truthfully, and work collectively toward peace.
(By Organising Committee for the 2026 International Women’s Day Forum: Women’s Voices in War, Memory, and The Pursuit of Peace)
