Sydney, Australia is set to welcome the 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters (5WCWS) in September 2025, marking the first time the conference will take place in the Southern Hemisphere.
The conference is a joint initiative between the Women’s Services Network (Wesnet) and the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS) marking the largest meeting of women’s shelters and those working to end gender-based violence.
More than 1,000 attendees and 100 countries are set to take part in 5WCWS between 15-18 September 2025, at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney).
Karen Bentley, Wesnet CEO , “The 5WCWS will give a massive boost to the common goal: to end all violence against women globally. Women’s shelters and women’s specialist services have been recognised as crucial to ending violence against women and girls and other forms of gender-based violence.
“The global exchange at these world conferences offers a unique opportunity to share knowledge and collaborate on a worldwide systematic approach and combating violence against women and their children and to increase the safety, independence, and strength of women worldwide. We are so excited to be able to host this continuing dialogue on a global scale from the past four world conferences.”
Business Events Sydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith said Sydney is proud to have been chosen to host the 5th World Conference of Women’s Shelters in 2025, “an incredible opportunity to have meaningful conversations about systemic approaches to combating violence against women and providing long-term support for women as they transition from short-term crisis care to full recovery from domestic abuse, trauma and deep loss.
“Business events are the ideal platform to raise awareness among governments, the corporate sector and international organisations to strive for real change in policy and power,” Lewis-Smith added.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
