WOW - Women of the World is an international movement for action and change driven by cultural and creative dialogue, debate and celebration.
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WOW AUSTRALIA
What’s on
WOW - Women of the World Festival Cairns 2026
WOW Australia is headed back to Cairns to help the women of the region celebrate the city’s 150th birthday and 150(000+) years of the contributions of women and girls, hear their stories and celebrate change-makers in the community today, bringing a wave of inspiration, connection, and fun to the region!
Thursday 10 September
WOW Cairns Men’s Breakfast
SEEN the Film – screening and Q&A
Cranky Woman’s Comedy Club
In Her Name Exhibition
This inspiring exhibition celebrates the remarkable contributions of women and girls from across Queensland and will also feature portraits of ten incredible local women from Cairns along with their stories, as part of the Cairns 150 celebrations with support from Cairns Regional Council.
Friday 11 September
Building Business Together
Women Investing in Women, Conversation & reception
Quentin Bryce: The Authorised Biography
WOW Schools Day | Cairns
Coming to Cairns for the first time!
WOW Schools Day is a full-day experience bringing together Years 10 & 11 students from across Cairns and Far North Queensland for a dynamic program of interactive workshops, live performances and creative storytelling, speed mentoring with women from a range of sectors and life experiences and Inspiring speakers and young change-makers.
Saturday 12 September
WOW Cairns Festival Day Program & Free Marketplace
WOW Comedy Gala
WOW Schools Day | SEQ
A Brisbane favourite, WOW Schools Day '26 will be held on Tuesday 13 October. This year we will continue to partner with QPAC to host over 200 high school students in a full day of workshops, performances, and speed mentoring on the Wheel of Brisbane with over 200 mentors from diverse fields, highlighting opportunities and inspiring diverse ambitions, together with an inspiring panel conversation hosted by ABC’s Natasha Mitchell in conversation with 3 amazing young people doing extraordinary things!
Our impact
About WOW
The power of stories
Through festivals, events, exhibitions, school programs and more, WOW challenges the belief gender equity has been achieved, joining the dots between people, movements and ideas to change the world.
WOW events are full of the amazing stories of women, girls and non-binary folk from the widest possible range of backgrounds and circumstances: individuals in formal leadership positions, outstanding achievers and many women who describe themselves as ‘ordinary’ but who have followed a dream, made changes happen, or overcome personal challenges.
But also boys and men who recognise a gender equal world is also better for them!
A celebration
Festivals evoke happiness, spontaneity, and experiences. WOW is a festival because celebration creates optimism, optimism creates determination and energy, and that makes you feel like anything is possible.
WOW Festivals are joyful, challenging and surprising. A riot of colour, mind-bending conversation and community, there’s space for everything, from the most difficult discussions to have to workshops that have you in fits of laughter.
A global movement
WOW festivals and events take place on every continent, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Nepal, the Middle East, Türkiye, UK, Nigeria, USA, Malaysia and in numerous locations in Australia over the past 10 years.
Each is unique to time and place designed by and for the people and unique cultures of that community and country.
First Nations first
In Australia WOW has supported the work of our co-patron and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Dr June Oscar AO to embed the principles of her landmark report Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) in all that we do.
This report together with the Uluru Statement from the Heart, is about a future for all Australians and in our work we have the opportunity to centre the stories of First Nations women and imagine a future beyond the Western patriarchal model of society.
“WOW has been a guiding force in establishing links with women and girls of all races, class, age and diversities. Their inclusion and respect for all is truly remarkable.”
Dr Jackie Huggins AM
WOW Australia is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through the Office for Women