Above: Sophie and the Girls Committee choose to challenge - people are invited to raise a hand high to show you're in and that you commit to choose to challenge and call out inequality.
The morning’s theme – and also the theme of IWD 2021 – was ‘Choose to Challenge’. This theme provides the motivation and ethos to promote equity between genders and to dismantle discriminatory societal norms within the community.
Sophie not only chooses to challenge as an individual, but also pushes the stereotypical boundaries surrounding women in business and the workplace. Personally, I found this to be such an important idea, as in 2021 there is still significant room for change worldwide. I understand from first-hand of experience feeling inferior to and less worthy than males, however, Sophie encouraged us girls to challenge these social ideas. From her experience at Sky Television, Sophie described how she has observed gender bias and stereotypical media portrayal of women athletes and generally, women on screen.
An important message I took away from the breakfast is that it’s never too late to claim your seat at the table and to never be afraid to stand up for what is right, even if you get silenced because of your gender. I’m sure every girl valued the ideas and messages Sophie shared with us and are now motivated to challenge misogyny and prove themselves as equals in every aspect of life.
Paris Wither (Year 12, Middlemore)
