Women and men have been called to work together to achieve gender equality ahead of International Women's Day.
The day, marked on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
It's an opportunity to reflect on the past and commit to action to improve the lives of women and girls in future generations.
At a United Nations International Women's Day event in Sydney on Friday, Governor-General Sam Mostyn reflected on the strides Australia had made toward gender equality.
But - like many others - she acknowledged more needed to be done, pointing to gender-based and sexual violence, which disproportionately affects women in Australia.
"Violence is not a women's issue for women to solve, but a community issue that cannot be addressed without everyone," she said.
"Girls and women, boys and men at the table, finding the solution together, working in partnership with care and respect."
Since her swearing-in, in 2024, the governor-general has visited every state and territory in Australia and said she often encounters women who give hope for the future.
"I see the very best of Australia, I see women as mentors and trailblazers, farmers and footy players, scientists and soldiers, advocates and policymakers, speakers and thinkers, writers, artists, makers and shapers," she said.
"I encounter Australian women who turn promises into progress every single day, with hearts full of love, with mighty determination and always without hesitation.
"When we meet barriers together as women and men, we will march forward together, we lift one another up with care, kindness and respect that encourages, inspires and always involves others."
International Women's Day also offers a new chance to inspire action and empathy, UN Women chief executive Simone Clarke said.
"With equity, we lift everybody up, and that's what we need to remember: it's not at the expense of the other," she added,
"However, we know that persistent inequalities, rising violence, and economic disparities not only obstruct our path forward, but continue to threaten those hard-earned gains that the women who have come before us, and the men, have fought for."
More than 1700 people attended the International Women's Day lunch, which raises funds for programs that give women and girls access to technology, training, safe spaces, and an education.
