The Antarctic 'ice ceiling’ was smashed in 1976 when three women ventured to the southernmost continent as part of Australia’s Antarctic Program (formerly ‘Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditioners – ANARE), for the first time.

The scene had been set the year before – the International Women’s Year – with a growing expectation that women should be treated equally. At the Australian Antarctic Division, the definition of equal included access to Antarctica.

Up until then women were denied participation in ANARE. The official line was that there were no facilities for women: no separate toilets or sleeping quarters, poor fitting clothing and a climate too hostile for women.

A collage of photos of different women doing things in Antarctica.
Celebrating 50 years of women's participation in the Australian Antarctic Program Photo: AAD

Some of these inconveniences were true. But they were used to legitimise the denial of women’s access to the inherently masculine Antarctic that had been described as the last bastion of men’s independence and no place for women.

Despite the challenges and obstacles to participation, today, women’s contributions have become integral to every aspect of the Australian Antarctic Program’s science and operations.

They are at the forefront of globally important climate science, and are critical to successful shipping, aviation and logistics, as well as to expeditioner wellbeing, climate policy and international relations.

This year we're celebrating 50 years of women's participation in the Australian Antarctic Program.

Learn more about the challenges and rewards they faced in our feature ‘Ice breakers – 50 years of women in Antarctica’.

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A black and white group photo of expeditioners at Mawson station in 1989, posed on the snow, with three huskies.
Men and women on the deck of Nuyina, off Heard Island in 2025.

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A scientist extracts ice from the ice core drill, with the campsite and Hägglunds in the background.
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