International Women’s Day 2023
According to the International Women’s Day (IWD) website, the aims are to raise awareness about what a gender inclusive world looks like through celebrating achievements of women, raising awareness about discrimination and taking action to work towards gender parity. Above all, IWD is about valuing a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
I have read several articles and listened to a range of conversations around IWD this year. The theme of “embrace equity” has stirred much discussion. The question of tokensim has become part of the discussion of IWD, and far from being deterred by this discussion, I believe it is something that speaks to a deeper truth in us. We want meaningful change and recognition. The conversation generated by IWD and the ways it is celebrated, or not, can drive further changes. A world that is diverse, and celebrates being diverse, is met with a challenge of how to embrace diversity. The challenge here is one of dialogue and engagement with the issues that are raised in a day such as IWD. The feminist movement is as diverse as society itself and why would it be any other way! International Women’s Development Agency explains that feminism is “about respecting diverse women’s experiences, identities, knowledge and strengths, and striving to empower all women to realise their full rights.” There cannot be a one size fits all in feminism, as the experiences of women are all different. The path has not been created, it is being created, and for every time we may not get it right, we can learn from this, to do it better.
Maya Angelou expressed this beautifully when she said, “When you know better, do better”
One thing is certain though, we do need to hold onto the hope and vison of gender equity for the sake of all in our world, and for our world. We need to recognise where our biases are and look to where there is injustice for all women. The intersectionality of justice is the complex overlap of various social identities and issues, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class, as well as environmental justice and how all these factors are important to address when thinking about women’s rights. The need for conversation, dialogue and respectful engagement with ideas and actions becomes not only the starting point, but the means by which real change can take place.
Here at SCEGGS last week, we acknowledged IWD through a range of activities. Some generated learning and discussion and some were more of a light-hearted celebration; both of these things are very much needed in life. The Rock Band played a few songs at lunch time while the Prefects encouraged students to write down names of inspiring women and qualities that they admire about them.
Year 9 listened to a presentation by Rabbi Jacki Ninio of Emanuel Synagogue, about her inspiring story of becoming one of the first female ordained Rabbi in Australia. She brought humour and warmth to the Year 9s through her exploration of the challenges she has faced, and also the joy she has in her ordained role. Year 9 are currently studying the religious tradition of Judaism in Religious Education and Rabbi Jacki Ninio’s presentation is a much loved and remembered part of this program each year. Year 10 and 11 students listened to founder and CEO of Two Good Co, Rob Caslick, speak about the work of Two Good Co. As it states on their website “a business for good. Through the creation of beautiful, high-quality food and products, we support, empower and employ women with lived experience of homelessness, domestic violence and complex trauma. By supporting Two Good Co, you are creating opportunities for someone to change their life and rebuild their self-worth and independence, in order to break free from the cycle of homelessness and disadvantage.”
Rob Caslick said that he isn’t changing the women who work for Two Good Co, it is rather they who are making the changes and the company’s role is to provide support for that to happen. SCEGGS is fortunate to be situated is very close proximity to Yirranma Place where the Two Good Co café operates out of. Supporting social enterprise is a way in which we can all be agents of change. Be it through conversation and learning, action that works to change social structures that perpetuate disadvantage or celebrations of women who have spoken out for a better world throughout history, we all can continue to be instruments of change and question and examine injustice in all its forms.
Year 11 followed up on the theme of being strong and confident women in their year meeting during the week by flexing their sartorial muscles! The picture below shows a range of outfits for iconic women like Princess Diana, Lady Gaga and Marilyn Monroe made from newspaper.
The Primary School held a special Years 3-6 Assembly which focussed on IWD, exploring the history behind this day and what the Women’s Suffrage movement was. Mrs Dempsey shared what this year’s theme means to her and explained the difference between equity and equality.
Primary students followed up their learning about IWD in a range of subject areas with a stand out being Year 3 who learnt about a series of Old Girls who have excelled in their field and wrote letters to them. All Art lessons explored inspiring female artists and the colours of the IWD were used in the K-2 girls’ artworks.
I thank all of our guest speakers, presenters and the SCEGGS community for their time and energy during International Women’s Day.
Dynielle Whitney
Social Justice Co-Ordinator
