By Olivia Messum
On March 8th, many women in Leicester and around the world shared their thoughts and experiences on what it’s like to be a woman and how this day affects their lives.
This day allows these women to express themselves completely, address the hardships they’ve faced, and celebrate the triumphs that they have experienced as a woman throughout their lives.
Zeeta Paddier, a Leicestershire resident, said: “International Women’s Day is a time to show progression in the world and how far women have come to be recognised and appreciated as equals.
“It’s important because I have been underestimated a lot of times, purely for being a woman. Especially being a woman of colour, I’ve had to prove myself to be much more capable in the workplace.”
Zeeta isn’t the only one who has faced adversity on account of being a woman.
Ellie Hector, a 21-year-old law student at the University of Winchester, who lives in Leicester, said: “I’ve had to overcome sexual harassment and assault and consistent questioning on my knowledge, so International Women’s Day means a lot to me because it recognises both the struggles and successes of women around the world and it shows just how much they have to go through on a daily basis.
“But this is why I look up to women like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She’s a huge inspiration to me because she did a lot for women in the law and she was one of the first female Supreme Court judges, which really encourages me to persevere with my law degree.”
This day resonates with countless women worldwide because many of them share similar experiences in terms of the battles they face with harassment and omission on a daily basis.
However, Nick Andrews, an accountant in Leicester, offered a male perspective on why International Women’s Day is so significant.
He said: “It’s so important to recognise women for their contributions in any form. Whether that’s at work or in your family, it’s necessary to appreciate women for everything that they do.”
There are so many reasons to celebrate women, and International Women’s Day is the perfect time to do just that. It is such an important event that honours and acknowledges women for their accomplishments and their progression in the world.
