Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, former Governor General Quentin Bryce and singer and performer Christine Anu will be among high-profile participants of WOW Australia 2020 Festival announced in Brisbane today.
Also appearing will be the musical collaboration Spinifex Gum featuring Felix Riebl (Cat Empire).
Speaking at the launch of the four-day women of the world festival, to be held at the Brisbane Powerhouse 2-5 April next year, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was proud to support the event returning to Queensland for the next three years.
"WOW is helping to remove the obstacles women and girls face throughout their lives by re-imagining the world where gender bias doesn't exist, and arriving at solutions for change," the Premier said.
"The 2020 event speakers include an outstanding line-up of remarkable women and is just a preview of what is to be announced early next year.
"Julia Gillard, Christine Anu, Emma Donovan, the 18-member Marliya girls' choir from Cairns and all of the wonderful participants in WOW Australia 2020 will ensure achieving gender equality and creating more opportunities for women and girls remain part of our ongoing conversation.
"The WOW event held during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was an enormous success with more than 5,000 people attending for a fun and energetic celebration of women and girls, and I'm proud this event is returning to Queensland."
Minister for Education and Member for McConnel Grace Grace also attended today's program launch at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to increasing the representation of women in the workplace, in business, the arts, in sport and in the community and this festival will help people come together in the spirit of fun to imagine a better world of equality and provide solutions for change," Ms Grace said.
"I encourage everyone to be part of this fabulous event."
WOW Australia 2020 will feature performances, exhibitions, talks and discussions, a Healing Space and The Marketplace, which connects cultures and communities from around Australia and across the Pacific, including this year's invited country Canada.
"The commitment and vision of WOW aligns with my Government's Queensland Women's Strategy 2016-21 and our goal of gender equality across our State. And it is working," the Premier said.
"The message we're sending out to all women and girls is 'you'll have a fair go', and WOW Australia 2020 is helping to make these changes happen."
The Global Advisor for the WOW Foundation and Executive Producer of WOW Australia Cathy Hunt said the Festival provided a platform to support change.
"Uplifting, challenging and life-changing, WOW is a global movement supporting women and girls, where they can share their stories, celebrate their extraordinary achievements and find solutions to the many barriers that still prevent them from realising their full potential," Ms Hunt said.
"We want attendees to be inspired, to learn new skills and to go away and change the world."
