President  releases 2026 IWD video message

Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has released a special video message to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, inviting congregations across the Church to give thanks, reflect and recommit to justice.

Recorded to share in worship services this Sunday, Rev Suli’s message honours the faithful leadership, courage and witness of women across the Church’s congregations, schools, agencies and communities.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, “Balance the Scales”, Rev Suli describes it as a call to justice and a reminder that equality does not happen by accident. She affirms that throughout scripture, women have courageously proclaimed God’s saving work and that their witness is woven into the gospel story.

“As a Pasifika woman,” she shares, “I think of the mothers, the aunties and grandmothers who carried faith for us. We stand because they stood.”

Rev Suli also speaks personally as a mother and grandmother, expressing her hope for a Church and world where every woman and girl lives with dignity, has her voice heard and is liberated to lead with the gifts God has given her.

The video and transcript of the President’s message are available for download.

This Sunday, on our website and across our social media channels, we will celebrate and honour women from the Uniting Church in Australia and its affiliated organisations who have been nominated in recognition of their generous and faithful contributions to their church and communities.