"Every day gives me hope," says Rupinder, who managed to flee her own violent marriage - on December 13, 2014 - and now works tirelessly to support women in the community.

"One day we will be free of violence against women and one day women will be (treated) equal to men.

"I think we are all trying to find a solution - in a smaller city (like Wodonga), we can do so much together."

On Monday night Rupinder (together with Albury film-maker Helen Newman) was recognised with an Outstanding Woman of Achievement award at Zonta Albury-Wodonga's International Women's Day event.

Rupinder said while the date was an important one to mark, she celebrated as a woman every day.

"It's important we listen to each other's stories and inspire one another," she says.

"Every woman is strong ... whether it's being a mother, a sister, a daughter ..."

She has a message of encouragement for women suffering family violence, too afraid to speak out.

"Raise your voice, someone will listen," she urges.

It was the kindness of neighbours who gave Rupinder the courage she needed to leave a man who left lasting scars on her body.

"I still have marks on my arm where he burnt me and tried to knife me," she says.

"Every day was not safe for me; I had given birth to two daughters and he wanted a male child."

For Rupinder, who says English is her 5^th language, her situation was compounded by the fact her own community told her not to speak out.

"They shut me down, made me feel wrong ... even my morals were questioned," she says.

"I didn't know my basic human rights.

"My next door neighbours gave me the strength ... and started my amazing journey to be the voice for others."

Her mother, sisters, daughters and girlfriends have helped shape the woman Helen Newman is today.

International Women's Day is a time to "consciously celebrate" the myriad women who have "challenged, inspired and built me up," the Albury film-maker said.

"It's also a chance to honour the work of those who fought for the rights I now benefit from."

Now it is Helen's work giving a voice to others, particularly in suicide prevention, that has been recognised by Zonta Albury-Wodonga with an Outstanding Woman of Achievement award.

Zonta's Alwyn Friedersdorff said Helen's work, together with Wodonga award recipient Rupinder Kaur, epitomised the values of Zonta which is to "empower the lives of women".

Helen said March 8 was a good time to reflect on where we are and where we need to get to but a date "will not change the injustice, abuse and disempowerment women here and across the globe face: "The next step is to turn reflection into action."