Happy International Women’s Day!
For those of you who use today solely as an excuse to ask, “But what about International Men’s Day?” – it’s on the 19th November, thank you, the door is to your left.
For the rest of us who look at International Women’s Day as what it is – the chance to celebrate powerful women, to cheer on their achievements, and to continue to work towards forging a gender equal world – welcome, welcome, it’s great to have you here.
This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge – that is, challenging gender bias and inequality. That can be challenging bias and inequality where you see it externally. However, it can also be challenging those unconscious biases: the ones that hold you back, cause you to doubt yourself or tell you that you’re not good enough. Where are they rooted?
In numerous studies and research papers, we’re often told that women are ‘less likely’, ‘less inclined’, and – still – ‘earn less’. It’s time to #ChooseToChallenge this ‘less than’ narrative and to celebrate the achievements that show that women are more powerful, more ambitious and more resilient than we’re told.
The International Women’s Day website reminds us that we need to:
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.
With this in mind, I am celebrating these women today:
Sabi Kerr – @sabi.kerr
Sabi Kerr is a Self-Love Coach for women, who is passionate about inspiring and empowering women to embrace their authentic selves. She shares gorgeous affirmations and mantras and is all-round super empowering. She’s vocally anti-racist, choosing to challenge inequalities every day.
Diahann Holder – @diahannholder
Diahann Holder is a Soul Success and Radiance Coach for Women. She’s dedicated to helping women to recapture their power. Dubbed ‘The FEMpowerment Queen’, Diahann advocates self-belief; her encouragement to live the life your soul desires is incredibly empowering.
Kia Aileen – @kiaaileen_soulclarity
Kia Aileen is a Soul Clarity Coach. She is a super grounding, insightful and amazing woman, and I want to celebrate her for her warm approach to self-acceptance. Her reminder that ‘there are no mistakes, only lessons’ resonates powerfully and challenges those thoughts and beliefs that might hold us back.
Iptisam – @her_inked_pages
Iptisam is an excellent poet, whose short but powerful poems are often accompanied by imagery. Her poems are soul-warming, thought-provoking and belief-challenging. I strongly recommend checking out her Instagram for poetry that will make you smile.
Toral Shah – @theurbankitchen
Toral is a Nutritional Scientist (MSc Nutr Med), whose ethos revolves around real food, with balanced and innovative recipes. Her approach to nutrition is grounded in science. Her awesome nutritional advice, coupled with documenting her own journey with breast cancer, is incredibly inspiring – as is her advocacy for self-love. She works hard to support equality and anti-racism; a powerful woman who Chooses To Challenge.
If this International Women’s Day has inspired you to challenge negative self-beliefs, challenge low self-esteem and challenge negative self-talk, please feel free to drop me a line. This is the year that you step into self-acceptance and self-empowerment.
#ChooseToChallenge
Links
www.internationalwomensday.com
