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Posted on March 10th 2025
Celebrating International Women's Day: Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
Last week, as we celebrated International Women's Day, we took a moment to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality and acknowledged the work still to be done.
The theme for this year’s celebration was "Accelerate Action," highlighting the urgency of addressing the barriers and biases women face in society and the workplace. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158—five generations from now.
During last week's assembly, Ms Young focused on an area that we can all work on: self-esteem and confidence. These qualities not only influence how we feel about ourselves but also shape our futures, including our career opportunities. Research shows that many young girls struggle with their self-esteem, often feeling the pressure to meet unrealistic standards, especially with the constant exposure to social media.
Self-esteem comes from within
A key message from Ms Young’s assembly was that self-esteem comes from within. True confidence is about knowing your worth, despite external pressures. Sadly, many young people - particularly girls - doubt their abilities and avoid leadership roles due to low self-esteem. Studies revealed that girls are often less likely to apply for positions unless they meet every single qualification, while boys tend to apply even when they don’t meet all the criteria.
We also discussed how to build self-esteem and confidence. One powerful tool is to be kind to ourselves. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we must embrace our uniqueness and appreciate our own accomplishments. It’s essential to remind ourselves that our worth is not defined by social media standards or the opinions of others.
At our school, we’ve worked hard to foster a community where everyone is encouraged to embrace their individuality. As Ms. Mannion wisely shared during the assembly, "The way you speak to yourself matters."
This International Women's Day, we committed to celebrating each other’s strengths and accelerating action to support women in all spheres of life. We left the assembly with a powerful reminder that we are all worthy, capable, and deserving of success.
Happy belated International Women's Day!
Advice on self-esteem from your teachers
