Rural women are invited to a two-day live virtual summit, Vision-of-Possibilities, that will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) by supporting entrepreneurial ideas.

The summit, put together by Big Ideas Rural, will run over Monday 9 March and Tuesday 10 March and brings together a range of businesswomen from across Australia to empower and inspire participants.

The 15 or so female entrepreneurs, including Mamamia’s Mia Freedman, will share their success stories, including how they overcame the adversity they have all faced.

Big Ideas Rural is run by two women — Samantha Meurant, based in Cunnamulla, Queensland and Tori Kopke, from Cunderdin, 160 kilometres west of Perth. Their hope with the virtual summit is that women everywhere, no matter how remote, can get support and inspiration for their business ideas.

The speakers will tap into this year’s IWD theme, ‘Each for Equal’, which is a call for individuals to act to create a more equal world, on the understanding that together we can create a gender-equal world.

Beyond the virtual summit, celebrations and events will be held in the days before and after IWD (8 March) across Victoria and focusing on women at home, in education, the workplace, in business and in leadership roles.

The idea is that all women, in whatever setting they find themselves, can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.

If you’re organising an event, IWD resources are available. Or find other events near you. If you are hosting an event, we would like to hear about it. Email the details to [email protected] by 1 March and don’t forget to check out our events calendar.

Pictured: Mia Freedman is taking part in a new virtual event for rural and regional women