One of the events held to celebrate the occasion was a morning tea hosted by Cowra Council on Friday morning. 

Cowra's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Judi Smith, said balance was an important aspect of all women's lives. 

"It is particularly about working for gender balance in employment at the higher echelons, but when I thought about it, I thought that balance is such an important thing in all our lives and one of the most difficult things to achieve," Cr Smith said. 

"​So it's not just about gender balance, it's about balancing ideas and opinions and being able to listen to what other people have to say and take it on board.

"​It's about what I think is one of the most difficult things, finding a balance in our busy lives between our work and our childcare and our grandchild care and our grandparent care, and also finding that time for ourselves and that's often the very last thing we would think about."

The morning tea was also an opportunity to name the winners of Cowra Council's International Women's Day photo competition.

Participants were asked to send in photos of themselves or others striking the #Balanceforbetter pose.  

First prize went to Kaitlyn Rutledge, who received the book "My Brilliant Career". 

Second prize was won by Erin Rutledge, who received the book "Don't take your love to town". 

Third prize was won by Sajee Singh, who lives in India. She won "Lillian's Story". 

"When you think about some of the things going on in India, especially the violence against women, it is really wonderful that someone participated in this," Cr Smith said. 

Fourth prize, the book "Bush Studies", went to Jenny Friend and the drum group. 

Fifth prize went to Ashleigh Cole, who won "The man who loved children". 

Guests also made donations on the day, with proceeds to go towards the Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre Domestic Violence Refuge.