International Women's Day - by Faith Riddell (Upper Sixth student)
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On the 8th of March 2024, a group of bold strong women, both staff and students of Winstanley College, attended an International Women’s Day Question Time event at Wigan and Leigh College.
The Question Time event had a panel of powerful, influential role models including: Damien Munro - IDVA Wigan Council, Jess Eastoe - Councillor and Young People Equalities Lead at Greater Manchester Moving, Rachel Clemow - Education Service Manager at Wigan Council, Marina Islam- Bamford - Department Head of Quality and Equality & Diversity Lead for A-levels in Greater Manchester, Lisa Nandy - MP for Wigan, and Jo Platt - Parliamentary candidate and Leigh Building Preservation Trust Manager.
Collectively, all students had submitted questions to put forward to the panel. Such questions were thoroughly answered and educated all on the vitality of International Women’s Day and everything that women are faced with. The event was hosted by Anne Marie Francis, the Vice Principal of Wigan and Leigh College, who put each question from the young adults to the panel. The well-crafted and powerful questions covered topics such as: the relevance of feminism in society today, the accessibility of success for women in specific job roles, the gender pay gap, rates of domestic abuse, cost and stigma surrounding sanitary products and the educating of males on behaviour towards women and defending women.
Throughout the event, the idea of gaining success through ‘being difficult women’ was discussed. Lisa Nandy,44, MP, stated: “You can change things but only if you are prepared to cause one hell of a row”. As a successful and independent woman, Lisa shared her own personal anecdotes of how she gained her success as a young female MP from an ethnic minority background. Lisa’s powerful aura was absorbed by everyone in the room. She discussed how she had to be difficult in society and counter act the stereotypical social “norms” to achieve change and success. She stated: “If it was that bad…it had to change”, when discussing the sexist and racist hate she faced when becoming a candidate in 2009, at only 29 years old.
Although predominantly an event for International Women’s Day, Damien Munro was an inspirational and magnificent male member of the panel. He emphasised the opinion and perspective of men in society supporting and empowering women. Damien was a voice for the men who sympathise with women and strive for their equality and success. He actively ensures society is a safer and supportive environment for women through his work with IDVA. When asked if he believes his career is accessible to women he replied: “Society needs more positive male role models” and through his job he hopes inclusion, trust and positivity is enhanced towards supporting women. Damien’s overwhelming sense of pride towards his job and his role in society filled the room when answering questions from students.
Hard hitting, taboo and ultimately shocking stories and subjects were also discussed- From Jo Platt having a ‘little black book’ in her office in which she used to record the “sexist comment of the day” when first becoming a member of the cabinet, to Jess Eastoe proclaiming how she believes the name of sanitary products should be changed due to the social stigma that periods and women are unsanitary.
The hour-long question time was remarkably shocking, empowering and moving, the strength of women as a collective was unparalleled. Being a part of such a strong unity was extraordinary.
Young, powerful, mouldable students, of all sexes and genders, sat in the audience and were immersed in the information and attitudes towards female empowerment. The faces of the next generation and next wave of movement looked back at the panel and the undeniable sense of energy and potential was reflected. The International Women’s Day Question Time 2024 enhanced a strong flame within the youth of our local community, one in which will make magnificent changes in the future.
By Faith Riddell
