Major Australian insurers including IAG and Suncorp are holding events to mark International Women’s Day (IWD).

At Suncorp, employee events will run from today until next Monday, with motivational women speakers to share with staff on issues such as resilience, change, and leadership, a spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

The events will take place in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.

Suncorp also plans to showcase inspirational stories from nine female employees in a video to be posted on its website, LinkedIn account and other internal digital channels.

“[International Women’s Day] is activated through our employee resource group Suncorp Women Connect and their male ally group, encouraging both women and men to attend IWD events and become actively involved in the gender equality conversation in Suncorp,” the spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

IAG has a number of events lined up throughout the week including morning teas and panel speaking events, a spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

The insurer has also posted a video on its LinkedIn, where senior executives were asked about gender equality-related challenges.

The spokesman says the video aims to illustrate the importance of creating a more balanced and inclusive workplace and society.

“It’s all about us being humans and treating people fairly and equally across a whole range of things,” Australia Division CEO Mark Milliner said in the video.

Allianz is organising several events to mark the day. It has engaged Paralympian Madi de Rozario to speak in Sydney as part of its “Being Brave” theme in support of gender equality.

“At Allianz Australia, we are committed to ensuring that we provide both women and men with fair and equitable opportunities to develop and do their best work in a gender-balanced and inclusive work environment,” a spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“Gender equity is also about every individual being recognised for their contributions irrespective of their gender.”

QBE organised a panel discussion last week on Share the Care, a gender equal-parental scheme it launched last year.

The scheme has resulted in a 300% uplift in male employees taking paid parental leave.

International Women's Day falls each year on March 8.