We spoke to six Lincoln students on what International Women’s Day means to them

‘March the 8th serves as a reminder of all the work that is still to be done in order to achieve gender equality’

3 years ago

International Women’s Day aims to recognise and celebrate generations of hard working women who strove toward gender equality, from the suffrage movement with Emmeline Pankhurst in the 1900s to the postfeminist #MeToo campaign, founded by activist Tarana Burke in 2006, this day highlights how far we’ve come, socially, economically and politically.

Yet it also serves as a day acknowledging the challenges that women still face such as the gender pay gap , or unequal opportunities leaving 130 million girls worldwide without access to education. In the United Kingdom just 32 per cent of our members of parliament are women and there is even less representation for women in the court system, female tribunal judges making up just 29 per cent.

This is why International Women’s Day, on the 8^th of March, is globally devoted to achieving gender equality by promoting the empowerment of women, celebrating female role models and showing solidarity with other women.

Ahead of International Women’s Day next Monday, The Lincoln Tab asked students at the University of Lincoln what this day means to them:

‘I feel proud’

Sarah, a second year Journalism student said: “International Women’s Day is a a day when I feel proud of my gender. It fuels my motivation of continuing the fight toward achieving gender equality.”

‘It highlights strong female role models’

Megan, a second year nursing student said: “It highlights strong female role models such as Emma Watson and Meghan Markle and shows solidarity for women supporting one another. When women are given a platform, given a chance to be heard, that’s when change happens.”

‘It is a celebration of everything that women around the world have fought for’

Millie, Lincoln SU’s Women’s Officer said: “It is a celebration of everything that women around the world have fought for and all the great things we have achieved, as well as the remembrance for the women lost to abuse and inequality. March the 8^th serves as a reminder of all the work that is still to be done in order to achieve gender equality.”

‘To celebrate the diverse achievements of women’

Lawrence, a first year biomedical student said: “I see it as a day to celebrate the diverse achievements of many different women wherever they are from.”

‘It’s an opportunity to celebrate the women closest to you’

Sorana, a second year biomedical student said: “In Romania, International Women’s Day is also Mother’s Day so it is an opportunity to celebrate the women closest to you. On Monday I’ll be calling my mum and showing women around me I appreciate them.”

‘Allows us to showcase what we can to do in our strive toward equality’

Molly, a second year Journalism student: “International Women’s Day is so important because women today still aren’t equal, thus this day allows us to showcase what we can do in our strive toward equality. I also think about inspirational role female role models such as Malala Yousafzaivi, my mum and some older friends whom I look to for inspiration as they are all badass, resilient women.”