March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD), this year’s theme is #accelerateaction. The World Economic Forum predicts that with the current rate of progress, we won’t see full gender parity until 2158, approximately five generations from now.
The ABC reported this week that, on average, for every $1 a man earns, his female counterpart is paid 78 cents. Across a year, there could be as much as a $28,000 difference in favour of men simply because of gender. This is the world our Saints Girls will have to contest with. They will work just as hard, are just as qualified and contribute to just as much as their male peers; however, their efforts won’t be equally recognised unless change happens and happens quickly. Waiting until 2158 just isn’t good enough.
The Prefect Team, spurred on by this information, set about creating an IWD Assembly that highlighted women excelling in fields that have been traditionally dominated by men. Ms. Karen Limb, Director of Business, Ms. Emily Morris, actress, and Ms. Jaimi Baker, co-owner of PEAQ Performance Centre, shared with us their experiences in their respective professions. They spoke of times they had faced challenges or barriers because they were female and ways in which they had overcome this. They also shared ways in which they believe action can be accelerated in their respective fields.
For the first time, the Assembly included a joint venture video between Saints Girls, Wilderness, Seymour and Walford. Traditionally seen as ‘friendly rivals,’ the video was a powerful example of the potential power girls’ schools have when we come together to create change.
I take this opportunity to invite the entire Saints community to help accelerate change for your daughters, granddaughters, nieces, friends or colleagues. Together we can stand up and challenge discrimination, question stereotypes or bias and celebrate a woman’s success.
