Thursday 01-02-2018 - 21:57

For International Women’s Day (Thursday 8th March) and in collaboration with the University’s Wonder Woman project, we're asking self-defining female members of Edge Hill University the following question:

"What would be your message to other women for International Women's day?"

We want to create a platform for women of Edge Hill to voice their views about any issues or barriers they may have faced, or share any inspirational message or advice from their experience. We wish to spark meaningful conversations intended for women to feel supported and inspired.

We will be running photoshoots across campus where women come and have their message written on their body and are photographed to share via social media their message to other women. We will exhibit these photos at the end of the campaign.

With the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report findings telling us that gender parity is over 200 years away - there has never been a more important time to raise your voice and get involved in helping smash barriers.

We know that gender parity won't happen overnight. However, the good news is that across the world women are making positive gains day by day. There's a very strong and growing global movement of advocacy, activism and support. We can’t be complacent.

So how can you get involved?

• Pop by at one of our photoshoots:

6th Feb, 10am -2pm, at Hale Hall

7th Feb, 2pm – 4pm in the HUB

8th Feb, 2pm – 4pm in the HUB

To register your interest, please enter your email address here.

• Use the hashtag on twitter/Instagram to share your message: #EdgeHillWomenSpeakOut. Tag @EdgeHillSU
• Email mishal.saeed@edgehill.ac.uk if you would like to feature in our photos or would like to write a blog for us.

Collectively we can all play a part! Collective action and shared responsibility for driving gender parity is what makes International Women's Day successful. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."

Started by the Suffragettes in the early 1900's, the first International Women's Day was celebrated in 1911. International Women's Day belongs to all communities everywhere - governments, companies, charities, educational institutions, networks, associations, the media and more. Whether through a global conference, community gathering, classroom lesson or dinner table conversation - everyone can play a purposeful part in pressing for gender parity.

So make International Women's Day YOUR day and do what you can to make a positive difference for women.

This campaign has been inspired by the Oxford Women Speak Out campaign run by Student Life society at Oxford University.