On International Women’s Day it is good to look at the positives, to see how far we have come but also far we still must go when it comes to gender equality.
When you come to university and don’t immediately get that feeling of belonging it can be hard, but we didn’t just want to accept it, we wanted to find our belonging. I was sat in my First Year flat with my friend Molly, looking at all the societies, looking at everything we could sign up for and just didn’t think that anything was for us. So, we decided to change that, we decided to create the Feminist Society - a group of individuals that for the last three years have been fighting for change and advocating for women’s rights.
It hasn’t been easy, running a society alongside doing a degree and having a job, which every student on a society committee will understand. Today can be a day to celebrate those that have given up their time to provide a community here at Cardiff Met for no reason other than kindness, and a hope for a more inclusive university.
In the three years since founding the Feminist Society at Cardiff Met, we’ve put on lots of different events, had guest speakers, hosted socials, started campaigns, helped other students, worked directly with the university, and collaborated with other societies here, both here at Met and at Cardiff University. I am incredibly proud of how far we have come, from sitting in our flat thinking about what we wanted to do. The people we have met along the way have been amazing, the other students that came along to our events and then joined our committee, and our amazing members that have supported us. Starting the Feminist Society will be our proudest achievement at university, and we hope to see it continue to thrive years after we graduate, continuing to advocate for change, for a better and safer university for students.
On International Women’s Day it is good to look at the positives, to see how far we have come but also far we still must go when it comes to gender equality.
Individuals with a university degree tend to earn more, however the average increase for males is £110k and only 30k for a female with a degree and over 70% of female students have reported to have experienced sexual violence while at university in the UK. It is estimated that 60 % of chronically hungry people globally are women and girls and 40% of women live in countries where abortion laws are restrictive. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 3 women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, primarily by an intimate partner. At the current rate of progress, it will take another 131 years to achieve gender equality worldwide.
However, the global enrolment of girls in primary education has reached close to 90% according to UNICEF, which is a significant rise from previous decades and a major step towards reducing gender disparities in education. There are now more women in Parliament, with women holding 25% of parliamentary seats worldwide, this is an all time high and a strong indicator of women’s growing political influence on a global scale.
As we celebrate, it is vital to remember that women’s experiences are not monolithic, and the Feminist Movement must always be rooted in the principle of intersectionality – recognising how factors like race, class, disability, location, sexuality, etc. shape the realities of gender-based oppression.
This International Women’s Day, we ask everyone to think about the women that we have lost and are currently suffering in places such as Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and Ukraine. We ask everyone to think about the women dealing with sexual assault, in abusive relationships, coming to terms with their sexuality, and dealing with gender dysphoria.
The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Accelerate Action’, so we urge everyone to act and get involved. Attend marches like the March for Women on Saturday 8th March starting at the Canal Quarter on Queen Street at 1pm. Educate yourself and others, taking the time to learn about the struggles that women are facing worldwide. Support women’s initiatives, donate and help organisations that are promoting gender equality. Be an ally, remember that true solidarity means actively supports the rights of all women everywhere, particularly those who are marginalised. Stand up against injustice in all its forms and make sure that the voices of those most oppressed are amplified.
International Women's Day is more than just a celebration—it's a call to action. It’s a call for a world where all women, regardless of their race, class, where they live, sexuality, etc. can live free from violence and oppression. This year, let’s amplify the voices of oppressed women, acknowledge the intersections that shape their experiences, and stand together for a world where justice, freedom, and equality are available to all.
Liv Issartel - Co-President of the Cmet Feminist Society.
Co-signed by Molly Watkins (Co-President) and Sarah Currie (Wellbeing Officer)