The Annual Sydney Women's Poetry and Arts Festival provides a political and poetic platform to foster cultural diversity, build networks for social justice and develop partnerships within the arts.

Taking place at the iconic NSW Parliament House, the event supports female poets and writers whose work explores peace, feminism, gender equality and cross-cultural understanding with a focus on ending violence against women and upholding universal human rights.

The festival will be launched by The Hon Linda Burney and co-directed by Minerva Khodabande and Saba Vasefi. It is hosted by Dr Mehreen Faruqi. The panel discussion on "Gendered Racism and Leadership" will be moderated by Prof Catharine Lumby.

Poetry performance:
Sista Zai Zanda, Winnie Siulolovao Dunn, Eunice Andrada

Opera singing performance:
Ana Fifita- Otai and Lealosina Samuels

Panel Discussion:
Hon Linda Burney, Dr Roanna Gonsalves, Prof Catharine Lumby

Talk on Cine-Poetics in first person storytelling:
Diane Busuttil and film screening:"Without Consent" weaves a personal story about forced adoption in the late 1960s Australia.

Festival patrons:Rosie Batty,Prof Stuart Rees, Dr Wendy Michael,Kween G.

Festival supporters:Macquarie University, Sydney Peace Foundation University of Sydney, Amnesty International, Western Sydney University, SydWest Multicultural Services, Sydney Women's Fund.