The ABC has decided it will only use female presenters on all of its broadcast platforms for International Women’s Day on Wednesday.

“On 8 March, programs and content across radio, television and digital will reflect the day’s theme of #BeBoldForChange and focus on the need for change and gender equality in all communities,” an ABC press release read.

“Commencing at 6am with ABC News Breakfast an all-female line-up will lead the major radio and TV news bulletins and current affairs programs and present across the day on NewsRadio and News 24.”

Meanwhile the ABC’s youth radio network Triple J will go one step further than having all female presenters – it will only play songs by female artists.

The song must be sung by a band with a female front person, or involve a key female musician or have a female producer.

Special programming on the ABC for the day would include Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery featuring Dr Susan Carland, a study of Australian women “on the land” titled The Invisible Farmer and Judith Lucy is All Woman.

There will also be a 30-second ad played across all ABC channels and platforms including presenters and personalities including Kumi Taguchi, Joe O’Brien, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Myf Warhurst, Chris Bath, Beverly O’Connor, Linda Marigliano and Fran Kelly.

News Corp reported male presenters will still turn up for work on Wednesday, but would complete off air tasks only.

On Monday night the ABC’s flagship Q&A program featured an all female panel – except for host Tony Jones. This attracted its fair share of criticism:

Seriously? Tony Jones is hosting all about women #qanda? There's no ABC women qualified to host a discussion about women? #merit

— Jane Gilmore (@JaneTribune) March 6, 2017

Similarly the decision to use only female presenters across all platforms on Wednesday has been attacked by some:

https://twitter.com/WilkieMonica/status/838814937443000320