Today is International Women’s Day...

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day to recognize women for their achievements without regard to divisions. Whether they may be ethnic, linguistical, cultural, economic or political. We are celebrating the achievements of women, and by ‘women’ I mean anyone who chooses to identify with that term. It is a day dedicated to celebrating our achievements and to raise awareness against bias to accelerate gender parity.

It is important to recognize that international women’s day isn’t just for women, it is for everyone. Gender equality is not a female issue, and it is vital that going forward everyone is included in the conversation and helping to facilitate change. The most obvious approach is to use your voice, this can be scary, but by saying something, perhaps by speaking out about sexist acts, or talk that positions women in damaging ways, it can help bridge the gap to reaching an equal world.

The Global Gender Gap Report in 2021, found that it will take nearly 140 years to bridge the gender gap at our current rate, and then it may take another 135.6 years to achieve gender equality between men and women globally. Just so you are aware, the fight for women rights began in 1848 and it is still ongoing.

We all have important women in our lives, whether they may be mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunties, or partners. It is important to appreciate them and thank them for all they have achieved opening the doors for future generations with no desire to gain recognition but have done what they thought was necessary. These women are more than what they may be to you, they have fought to create a world that values women as workers, citizens and equal members of society. They have contributed to the economic system in which a women needs not to be dependent on a man. Whether deliberate or not, bias makes it increasingly difficult to achieve equality. Therefore, we must all play our part and work together to celebrate and support women to create a more equal world.

Charlotte - Deputy Head of School - Arion House