Celebrating International Women's Day 2023: Sharing Safety, Stories & Selfcare

As we approach March 08, we are filled with hope and joy to celebrate International Women's Day 2023. This is a day for the entire world to come together and reflect on the incredible achievements of women, and to honor the ongoing struggle for gender equality. At Shower Story, we recognize the indispensable role that Australian women play in shaping our lives and communities. We believe in the importance of uplifting each other, so we can all make a positive impact on the world.

This year's theme set by UN Women Australia for IWD 2023, 'Cracking the Code: Innovation for a Gender Equal Future,' reminds us of the essential need for innovation, accessible education, and inclusive technologies in addressing discrimination and marginalization of women in Australia and globally. We believe that every Australian woman deserves access to these tools so they can unleash their full potential and become their best selves.

The right to access support and have the opportunity and safe space to participate in selfcare and wellness practices should be universal. Creating safe spaces for women and prioritising self-care is incredibly needed in today's world - facing unique challenges and experiences, from discrimination and inequality to gender-based violence and harassment. In order to navigate these obstacles and thrive, it's essential for women to have safe spaces where they can feel heard, respected, and supported.

The right to embrace voices to tell unique and powerful stories worth sharing, is also profoundly important. We celebrate the diverse and remarkable stories of the trailblazers who have broken barriers in their fields and the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to make a difference in their communities. 

As such, we'd like to share the stories of two Australians with you.

Dr. Fiona Wood is an Australian plastic surgeon who has made significant contributions to the field of burn treatment. She is known for developing a revolutionary spray-on skin technique that has transformed the way burn victims are treated. This technique involves taking a small sample of the patient's skin, growing it in a lab, and then spraying it onto the wound. The spray-on skin technique reduces the healing time of burns and improves the overall quality of life of burn victims.

Dr. Wood's innovation came to light in 2002 when she treated victims of the Bali bombings. Her innovative approach saved the lives of many patients who would have otherwise died due to severe burns. Her technique has since been adopted by medical facilities worldwide and has become the standard treatment for burn victims.

Dr. Wood's contribution to the medical field has earned her numerous accolades, including the Australian of the Year Award in 2005. She has also been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to medicine.

Another remarkable Australian scientist is Dr. Dharmica Mistry, who has developed a simple blood test to detect breast cancer. Her innovation has the potential to save countless lives and transform the way breast cancer is detected and treated. Dr. Mistry's test works by detecting the presence of a specific protein that is produced by cancerous cells. This protein, known as Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can be easily detected in a blood sample, making the process of diagnosing breast cancer quicker and less invasive.

Dr. Mistry's blood test has the potential to improve breast cancer detection rates and reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies performed on patients. Her innovation has received widespread recognition, including being awarded the Innovator of the Year award in 2015 by the Australian Innovation Challenge.

Dr. Mistry's contributions to the field of breast cancer research and treatment have given hope to millions of women worldwide. Her research has the potential to save countless lives and transform the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated.

These inspiring stories, among countless others, motivate us to rise by lifting others. As we celebrate International Women's Day 2023, let us take a moment to reflect on the achievements of Australian women and to commit ourselves to ensuring that every Australian woman has access to the tools she needs to thrive. Let us work towards a future where every Australian woman is safe from discrimination and violence and has the opportunity to unlock her full potential.

We believe that every woman deserves opportunities for simple self care that can make a significant impact in their daily lives, regardless of their circumstances. As such, this month we will be supporting Women’s Community Shelters via sales donations. WCS is an Australian organisation that works with communities to provide short term emergency accommodation and services for women in need.

At Shower Story, we are proud to celebrate this special day with our community. Let us continue to uplift and support each other, and let us work towards a future where every Australian woman can live her life with dignity, respect, and equality.