It's time for the Federal Government to get serious about standing up for the rights of women, both here and overseas, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for the Status of Women, says that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should acknowledge International Women's Day today by committing to direct action to tackle some of the biggest problems facing women.

"This is a day to celebrate the work and successes of women both here in Australia and around the world, but it is also a day to acknowledge how far we still have to go to achieve real equality,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

"I call on Mr Rudd to take action today to address serious women's issues in Australia and our region.''

"At home, the Government must lead the way to achieve strong female leadership in corporate Australia by committing to 50 per cent representation for women on Federal boards and committees.''

The Greens have announced they will move to amend the Corporations Act 2001 to require publicly listed companies with annual turnover in excess of $15 million to allocate 40 per cent of board positions to women within five years or risk closure. The figure now is only eight per cent.

"I also call on the Prime Minister to commit the Government to action on tackling the disastrous state of maternal health in the Pacific region,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

"PNG, our nearest neighbour, has the second-highest rate of maternal mortality in the world, after Afghanistan. Women in PNG are 50 times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than women in Australia - it's a tragedy, and it's not acceptable.

"We are heading for failure on Millennium Development Goal 5 - agreed by United Nations member states - which calls for a 75 per cent reduction in maternal mortality by 2015.

"If the Prime Minister is serious about women's rights in our region, he will use today to announce increased aid funding to PNG so we can save more women from needless death.''