For this We Are article I asked two female staff of William Clarke College to answer some questions I had about International Women’s Day. I hope this article helps people understand and appreciate why International Women’s Day is so significant.
Just before getting into, it I would like to thank Miss Sietsma and Mrs Peiris for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer these questions with so much thought and detail.
- What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Mrs Peiris: Two teachable moments define International Women’s Day, one from the Global South with the memoir of Malala Yousafzai and the from the West, Emma Watson’s United Nations speech introducing the He for She campaign. Both are personal and simultaneously universal representations of why political and social structures that support gender equality benefits all of humanity.
Miss Sietsma: I think it gives us a chance to pause and reflect on the fact that a day has been selected to consider the impact that women have on communities around the world.
- Who is the woman that inspires you the most?
Mrs Peiris: So many women! If I had to choose, read up about the Trung sisters How Two Vietnamese Sisters Led a Revolt Against Chinese Invaders—in the 1st Century | HISTORY. It’s from my cultural identity, Vietnamese, but I am inspired by revolutionaries from all cultures. The Trung sisters led a revolt against a colonialist oppression with the help of both men and women. It also reminds us that gender equality and women’s empowerment is not a linear progression, but a conscious effort to assert our rights.
Miss Sietsma: Very hard question! I really think qualities in women inspire me more than anything. Having strong morals and values, the ability to stand up for themselves, not in an offensive and harsh way but women who are able to represent themselves and others effectively – and women who can balance it all! Katrina Gorry comes to mind, my own Mum and Grandma too 😊
- Do you think International Women’s Day is necessary? Why/Why not?
Mrs Peiris: In our society where the gender of a person is being debated and what defines masculinity or femininity, some may believe such a day is irrelevant. However, we should have positive representation in all its forms. Inequalities in pay, working conditions, rates of gendered violence and organisations whose chosen leaders are not representative of their populations are facts we cannot ignore. An international day reminds us we are all born of woman.
Miss Sietsma: Short answer is yes – I think the capacity or the way that is celebrated can and should keep transforming. Each year I think there is more awareness or recognition of it, more hype surrounding it. I think it is necessary because we have many things to be proud of and to have a specific day to recognise this is important.
- When you were a young girl what was your dream?
Mrs Peiris: My dream was to be a fashion journalist, but it was also my desire to have a family, provide a comfortable home free from poverty and travel widely, which I have achieved.
Miss Sietsma: To be an actress! I was very passionate about acting and performing (definitely loved being the centre of attention). I think as a kid I also wanted to be every single occupation that I could think of, so I decided if I was an actress, I could ‘play’ any of these occupations in movies or TV shows, ha!
- Have you ever experienced a time when women empowerment inspired you?
Mrs Peiris: When I witnessed Eve Goolagong and Ash Barty (Australian tennis role models) together as proud First Nations women, from a defiant and strong lineage.
Miss Sietsma: Definitely – I think my own experience of being at school, having girls that I could depend on or stand up for me. Seeing women in my life be in positions at jobs that might typically be seen as a male role. Working among smart women and bold women. All these elements of women empowerment help inspire me to put my best foot forward, stand up for what I believe in or what is right, and support others around me.
- Have you faced any barriers in life due to being a woman?
Mrs Peiris: Yes, being underestimated. So, my opinion was ignored and not respected because I was expected to be submissive to authority.
Miss Sietsma: This is a tricky question because I think there are many individuals who face barriers for a range of significant reasons in their life due to race, physical/mental ability, financial position, geographical location and I feel fortunate to not have experienced barriers in this regard, but in terms of gender there have definitely been times where I have felt overlooked, unheard, un-appreciated, been taken advantage of and I have speculated in those specific situations that it was as a result of being a female.
- Do you have a message/advice for the young women of today?
Mrs Peiris: Your best allies are each other so that when you face discrimination, ask the hard questions and support one another. Be ready to move on and past the ignorance of others. Rather than dialogues of opposition, the goal is for respectful dialogue. If you face an opposition, garner your forces for the 3 Ps: be patient, but persistent for positive change.
Miss Sietsma: So much to say! I think the main message would be to be strong and know you are surrounded. Being a woman is really special – there is almost an unspoken bond that we have and should continue to cherish and support each other in. Know what you want to value in life, don’t underestimate or undersell yourself and NEVER let anyone underestimate you❤ 😊
To everyone reading this article, I implore you to seek the women who inspire you and both acknowledge and appreciate them because without women the world would not be half the place it is today.
