Marching Forward

Wenona students and staff celebrate International Women's Day.

The Wenona community champions female solidarity and elevates the power of female voices. This spirit was especially evident this week as we celebrated International Women's Day and the United Nations’ theme, 'March Forward'.

Our observance began in the Principal's Assembly, where Ms Douglas delivered a powerful speech highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Drawing on examples from the sporting world, she shared how Scottish tennis champion, Andy Murray, consistently corrects media that overlooks female athletes' achievements. "Murray said he sees it as important to call out the inequality he witnesses against female sports people day after day," she noted, emphasising that "society needs all of us to champion female equality in all walks of life."

Ms Douglas reminded the students that we remain entangled in what author Allan G Johnson calls ‘the gender knot’ – a patriarchal legacy where positions of authority are generally reserved for men, and when a woman finds herself in such a position, "people tend to be struck by the exception to the rule and wonder how she will measure up."

That same day, the Gender Equity Club hosted an afternoon tea for the Senior School, creating a space for meaningful conversation. One Club leader, Poppy (Year 11), reflected that this year's theme speaks to "the consistency, dedication, and perseverance behind the feminist movement and improved gender equality outcomes." She says she draws inspiration from former United States Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright's words, "It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent."

The celebrations continued beyond our campus, with our Head Prefect, Zara (Year 12), accompanying Ms Douglas to Shore School to address 1,400 Shore students in an assembly on equality. A group of Years 10 to 12 students participated in an official annual IWD lunch at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. This event, which raised funds for women’s and girls’ rights globally, featured a distinguished panel of speakers. They included the former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia and actor, comedian, and author, Celeste Barber. Another group of students attended an IWD panel discussion at the University of Technology Sydney.

For our Head Prefect, Zara, International Women's Day carries profound responsibility: "It is my duty as a citizen of the globe to educate myself and help my sisters whenever and wherever I can. It starts with education, empathy, and action from all humans," she says.

This sentiment echoes Ms Douglas's citation of Hillary Clinton's landmark 1995 speech, "Human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights" – a message Ms Douglas noted "has been long remembered and reiterated as we move towards a more equitable world.”

Zara’s fellow Executive Prefects offered further thoughtful reflections. Deputy Head Prefect, Claudia, sees IWD as "a reminder of the power of the female voice," while her colleague (also a Deputy Head Prefect), Ishnika, describes 'March Forward' as "symbolic of resilience and unity.” Both perspectives align with Ms Douglas's assertion that "backing gender equity isn't about men versus women. It's about people together against prejudice, and we need everybody on that side."

Deputy Head Prefect, Lucy, believes the theme is embedded in daily life at Wenona: "Each day when you come to Wenona the message is clear: lead with purpose, embrace setback and be unapologetically your own." This education-centred approach resonates with Ms Douglas's observation that "education plays a crucial role in bringing about change, bringing men and women from across the social spectrum together."

Our Year 11 Gender Equity Club members, Ruby, Clemency, Emma, and Poppy, organised a documentary screening focused on women in developing countries, emphasising that "Though our experiences are drastically different from theirs, it is crucially important to explore the intersectionality and diversity that encompasses women's rights issues, and understand that we can only truly march forward if we march forward together.” Their initiative exemplifies the responsibility that Ms Douglas highlighted when noting that this year "marks 30 years since the world committed to the bold vision of gender equality through the Beijing Declaration."

As Ms Douglas concluded her address, she expressed confidence that "our future is in good hands". Indeed, the thoughtful engagement of Wenona students with International Women's Day demonstrates their readiness to take up the challenge. As Ms Douglas urged, "I hope that we will all take our place in the march forward for women's rights, because women's rights are human rights and the world cannot afford a step back."