On Wednesday 10^th March, we celebrated International Women’s Day 2021 and marked the occasion with a series of inspiring talks during Life Skills. The talks (delivered by women) focussed on the achievements of women of the past and present and looked at how we ourselves can become inspiring women of the future by continuing to dispel gender stereotypes, ​as well as talking about some difficult issues which continue to face women today.

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about equality and lobby for accelerated gender parity. Women in leadership was a focus of this year’s occasion and the theme celebrated the efforts of women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Year 7 and 11 pupils heard from author, broadcaster and lecturer, Lucinda Hawksley, who spoke about the women in Charles Dickens’s life who helped to change the course of British history ​and art. Though the women in Dickens’s novels are often seen as insubstantial and subservient, the real women in his life were talented, feisty and independent. Lucinda spoke to our Year 7 classes about Dickens’s musician sister, his artist daughter and his brilliant campaigning female friends.

Education Consultant, Christina Astin spoke to our Year 8 and 9 classes about personality types. She talked to pupils about gender stereotyping and how this can influence our decisions, particularly when choosing a career, ​focussing particularly on STEM subjects.

Year 10 pupils heard from Dr Louise Day, who specialises in Maternity and Neo-natal care and has spent a large part of her career working in Bangladesh, teaching parents about Kangaroo Mothering – perhaps ‘Mothercare’. Our Sixth Form pupils welcomed Geraldine Mynors, who spoke about an innovative programme eradicating the ancient practice of FGM, instead encouraging girls in Kenya to stay in school and take control of their lives.

Thank you to all of the empowering and inspiring women who spoke to our pupils in recognition of this year’s International Women’s Day. It was wonderful to celebrate the social, economic, political and cultural achievements of women around the world and reminded us of the actions we can take to accelerate gender parity.