Does International Women’s Day still matter? UAE School Head Girls share their views…

“Why isn’t there an International Boys’ Day?” my seven-year-old son asked me last week when he heard I was writing a story on International Women’s Day.

“Well… because you guys have got all the other 364 days,” I teased.

You can see his point though. Through the eyes of a child – eyes that have grown up reading T-shirts with slogans like “I’m a girl, what’s your superpower?”, in a world where strong female leaders hold the crown in the UK and lead the government in New Zealand, being raised in a country where all his doctors and teachers so far have been women – it might seem like it’s unnecessary or even unfair that there’s a day dedicated just to the female gender.

While there is actually an International Day of the Boy Child (May 16) as well as an International Men’s Day (November 19), neither of them gets the sort of airtime that International Women’s Day usually gets. And for good reason. Although there’s been encouraging progress in the developed world over the years, we are still by no means gender equal, and the gender pay gap, violence against women and explicit or implicit gender bias are all still very much alive and kicking across the world.

But how much of this filters down and feels relevant to the UAE’s younger generation? There’s no doubt that women, at least in the developed world, have come a long, long way since the first International Women’s Day was conceived. Its roots extend all the way back to 1911, when women in Europe held protests demanding fundamental rights: the right to vote, the right to work, the right to hold public office. International Woman’s Day was then formally recognised by the UN in 1975, almost 50 years ago.

We spoke to the female leaders of tomorrow – the Head Girls at some of the UAE’s top schools – to ask what International Women’s Day means to Gen-Z and what the younger generation thinks International Women’s Day should be about…

Meet the UAE Head Girls, the female leaders of tomorrow…

“This day celebrates our strength, integrity and grit”

Tarini Kaushal, Head Girl, Safa Community School

 

“I see International Women’s Day as a day to celebrate us women. We are strong and independent and we don’t need to rely on anyone to get what we want, as long as we put in the effort and dedication towards our goals and aims. Then results will come. We are powerful.”

“This day celebrates us: our strength, integrity and GRIT. History is full of women who made not only a real difference but made huge strides to further our cause – for example, Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist who, while a teenager, spoke out publicly against the prohibition on the education of girls that was imposed by the Tehrik-e-Taliban and was shot in the head in revenge for her activism. Thankfully she survived, and her bravery in speaking out put the spotlight firmly on the issue of female education in Pakistan, and also role-modelled what true courage looks like. She’s one of many; Michelle Obama, Greta Thurnberg and their ilk.”

“Gender equality is not a goal we have reached but a journey we are still on, and thus every milestone needs to be celebrated. International Women’s Day acknowledges our journey and puts us firmly shoulder to shoulder with our male counterparts in a non-threatening and collaborative manner.”

“Currently, I am proud to say I am Safa Community’s School’s Head Girl. A female in a leadership position in the school has always been a goal of mine and our school – which has grown enormously over a very short period of time – has had a lot of the heavy lifting done by women. Take for example, Miss Fridd, our Principal, who’s taking Safa Community School from strength to strength. And that shows great power and growth in my eyes. This is what I aspire to achieve. Happy International Women’s Day.”

“Always say ‘yes’ rather than wait for the perfect moment. You can make it perfect on the way”

Sara Sarajii, Head Girl, GEMS FirstPoint School

“Confidence is paramount within every leadership role. Confidence is achieved through experiences involving communication and diversity to develop holistic viewpoints. Confidence and leadership mean knowing where you stand, but it also means listening to others to improve your weaknesses and strengths. I advise girls to take any leadership role, no matter how small, as this would be the building block to enormous success.”

“When I was running for Head Girl (student body president), my main drive was to represent hijabi women in an open-minded, inspiring, and liberal way. I wanted to pave the way for future women leaders who perhaps doubted their abilities. A scarf around your head should not prevent you from achieving your dream career or leadership role.”

“Rouba Mhaissen, a Syrian-Lebanese hijabi activist, became the 10th Syrian woman to brief the UN security council. Before 2019, Syrian women from civil societies were never addressed in the committee. Rouba inspires me by supporting Syrian immigrants and fighting for their dignity. Currently, she is the CEO and founder of the SAWA Foundation. Rouba’s position entails a great deal of self-assurance and willpower to make a change. She taught me courage. So, when it comes to opportunities (such as leadership roles), I now know to always say yes rather than wait for the perfect moment, as I will make it perfect on the way.”

“International Women’s Day represents the renewal of women’s positions and their importance in our society. There is a need to remind people that women should be given the same opportunities as males. International Women’s Day allows us to break the patriarchal society we live in and empower women.”

GEMS Modern Academy’s female leaders

Note: GEMS Modern Academy does not have a ‘Head Girl’; instead, it follows the holacracy model of student leadership – further details here.

“‘Can you think of any woman in your life who has never had to fight harder, explain more or be extra cautious solely because of her gender?’ The usual answer is a solid ‘No’.”

Stuti Sawhney, student at GEMS Modern Academy and Vice President of GirlUp GMA (a UN affiliate). Stuti has multiple debating awards to her name, and has done significant work within the community to help empower children, students and domestic workers.

“For me, International Women’s Day is a 24-hour culmination of a centuries-long inclusivity-driven movement. It serves as a reminder to honour past legacies while simultaneously introspecting the present. The fight for women empowerment is a continuous journey that often gets lost amid political agendas, misrepresented motives and outdated traditions. It is for this reason that I think International Women’s Day is integral – to help people across the globe stop and reflect on real-time tangible change and its impacts. I think it’s about time we take a step back to understand that the need for International Women’s Day is much more individualistic than any macro-level statistical claims to equality. The way I put it is, ‘Can you think of any woman in your life that has never had to fight harder, explain more or be extra cautious solely because of her gender?’ The usual answer is a perplexed expression and a solid, ‘No’.”

“I truly believe Gen Z holds an immense amount of power. We’re not afraid to openly criticise authority and law, patriarchal systems and deep-seated ‘values’ to push forward the fight to uplift women. The International Women’s Day movement started as a socialist, democratic movement, but now we’re slowly breaking barriers of religion, race and appearance to include all kinds of women in our journey to equity. Our generation views women as forces of revolution that deserve ‘not just their bread but their roses too’ – not just basic rights but also financial, social and emotional luxury.”

“To young women thinking about becoming a leader, I’d say: ‘Always counter-offer the world.’ There might be blatant discrimination in your life, or even just implicit sexism at some point that the world will refuse to recognise. You might get downplayed in a discussion with your male colleges or laughed at around the dinner table for your pursuits, but you must always be able to counter-offer the world. Show them your power and be brave in ways that fulfil your inner dreamer.”

“Despite the revolution for female empowerment, subliminal forms of sexism still permeate.”

Nimah Fatima Shukkoor, Grade 12 student at GEMS Modern Academy and MENA Regional Co-Director at Eureka Education, a California-based EdTech startup

“There exists a different set of vocabulary for men and women. Men are strategic; women are calculating. Men are self-assured; women are cocky. Childish men are cheeky and charming; women who act similarly are annoying and immature. Despite the revolution for female empowerment, subliminal forms of sexism still permeate. Don’t let that stop you. Be aware of it and rely on your brilliance to turn you into stardust.”

“As a girl in STEM, an aspiring electrical engineer, I can vouch for the fact that to this day, women are dissuaded from following this path.”

Muktha Kaja, age 16, student at GEMS Modern Academy

“Modern society has evolved into a much more progressive society, but the matter of fact remains that women are still undermined and still battling gender inequality every day. Be it in rural areas where patriarchal societies still hold dominance, or urban areas where women of equal merit are still subject to injustice, girls and women of today are still fighting for their rights. Educational inequality, unemployment, wage gaps and financial exclusion, lack of access to proper sanitation facilities – the list is endless. We as women are no different to our male counterparts, yet face extreme prejudice.”

“The glass ceiling effect is an apt metaphor for the current predicament of women: an invisible shield preventing us from rising up the hierarchy in any setting. The STEM Gap is perhaps the perfect example illustrating this phenomenon. As a girl in STEM, an aspiring electrical engineer, I can vouch for the fact that to this day, women are dissuaded from following this path. ‘Men are more fit for engineering roles’ is a common phrase, and unfortunately the statistics back this up: only 28% of women are part of the STEM workforce and this includes the huge domain of every STEM-related subject. The stereotypes associated with these fields, such as ‘masculine’, contribute to the fixing of wages for the two genders – and lo and behold! It’s no surprise that women are paid significantly less, while doing the same amount of work and perhaps even having much higher merit than their male co-workers. Men in STEM careers are paid roughly $15,000 more than women – this is blatant gender inequality.”

“I wish I could say STEM is the only field affected in such a drastic manner, but women gender inequality is prevalent everywhere. Stemming from high educational inequality at a very young age, women are not trained in essential vocational skills, due to lasting clichés that men have a more work-oriented mind and are meant to work, while women have a housekeeping role. Such a patriarchal mind-set was expected to be eradicated in the 21st century, but backward mindedness has still crept up. Women exploitation – an abomination – still exists and, despite valiant efforts, has not been eliminated. The safety of women, especially in developing countries, has always been a question mark and we must strive to break this cycle and abolish stereotypes surrounding women – who have so much potential and the power to revamp the world.”

“As a woman, I don’t feel any different than I would feel if I were a man. At this point, what the future holds in store for me is different from what it holds for any other individual, girl or boy. I do, however, acknowledge the fact that being an aspiring engineer, in a field that is evidently dominated by males, may pose a few initial challenges. While I would hope that my merit would take me places, and my gender not be judged, certain males are still brainwashed by gender stereotypes and may think me unfit for a STEM career. Males less competent than I am may get more prestigious opportunities than myself, or higher wages, and I might have to work twice as hard as them to reach the pedestal they are placed on, just because I am a woman. However, I trust myself to persevere through all the hardships and not let anybody dictate who I am – I will strive to fulfil my dreams.”

“Being polite does not give other people the right to take advantage”

Lamar El Roz, Head Girl, Arcadia School Dubai

“My mother inspired me to apply to be Head Girl. Her sheer confidence and the ability to maximize time and manage it accordingly, while also multitasking, was definitely something worth learning.”

“The best advice I’ve heard about being a girl or woman in the world today is that being polite does not give other people the right to take advantage of you. If something is bothering you or you feel you are being treated differently, it doesn’t do any harm to speak up.”

“My advice to other girls about female leadership and confidence? Read. I am an avid reader, and I believe this makes me more outspoken and gives me the ability to articulate my opinion. It’s just about harnessing the words and channelling them out. Always remember that you have the freedom of thought, you have the facilities to learn and grow, and most of all, you’re intelligent and strong. So why should we keep all of that to ourselves?”

“Always believe that you’re capable of anything you put your mind to”

Jasmine Sebeh, Head Girl at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis

“To me, International Women’s Day is all about celebrating how far women have come. I would say it’s equally as important to use this day to celebrate all these achievements as in the past, and to use this day as a chance to raise awareness about women’s equality. Although society has come a long way, I believe there is still so much we can do to remove the gender bias that is still prevalent in many areas of our society.”

“I would definitely have to say that my teachers are the ones who have helped inspire me to get this position of leadership and who act as my most inspiring female role models. Seeing them always be so supportive of everyone, willing to listen to any of our concerns and believing that everyone is capable of achieving the best possible is a huge inspiration.”

“A piece of advice I would give to any girl would be to always believe that you’re capable of anything you put your mind to. Take every opportunity that comes your way, no matter how big or small it is. Finally, talk about all your experiences with others in order to learn and grow together.”

“If we had more women in politics, I think the world would be a more peaceful place.”

Head Girl Maha Evers, Jumeirah English Speaking School Dubai

“International Women’s Day is about embracing women’s achievements globally and spreading awareness on the many issues women face today – in both developed and developing countries. These include gender equality, the right to vote, the right to employment, the right to equal pay, the right to basic healthcare and education. I come from a family of strong women – aunts and grandmothers – that I feel have built a foundation of liberation for me and instilled in me a deep sense of confidence of what young girls and women can achieve. But there’s still absolutely a need for an International Women’s Day as there’s a long way to go to tackle some of the challenges I have listed above.”

“I still feel there is a lack of women in positions of power. There are remarkable women who have achieved this, such as Germany’s former Chancellor, Angela Merkel. If we had more women in politics, I think the world would be a more peaceful place.”

“There are several successful women running small and large companies today also, but the number is still very low compared to men in similar positions.”

“I remember studying a novel in English Lit last year which talked about patriarchal societies in the nineteenth century but even in today’s 21st century, I think this still exists in certain societies. “Regardless of a woman’s experience or ability, the perception is still sometimes that women are less competent than men or they are perceived as weaker. Let me give you an example. As a keen sportswoman, I watch a lot of international tournaments. In tennis, women are paid less than men. They also are asked to play fewer sets!  WHY? Another issue is that women who enter the workforce, at some point may want to have children but the business world does not give enough options to rejoin their careers with the same opportunities. I am aware of this as I have seen these choices made by women in my extended family. I would hope that by the time my friends and I join the workplace, that the situation will be different.”

“I feel that our generation is definitely at a greater advantage when it comes to how women are perceived and what opportunities they have. I personally do not feel at all at a disadvantage and feel respected by my fellow male peers. But I also realise that the world I live in is relatively privileged and advanced. In more traditional societies, a woman’s role has not been allowed to advance. I am a student of geography and have come across many examples where this is still the case.”

“My advice to other girls out there looking to learn more about female leadership and confidence is to watch an advertising campaign that my aunt in Los Angeles filmed a few years ago called – #Likeagirl. It shows boys and girls of various ages being asked to do different activities ‘like a girl’. The message is that girls are still seen and sometimes see themselves in the stereotyped definition of being weak, quiet, shy etc. – but that they should instead feel empowered and confident. I couldn’t agree more!”

“There’s only a difference between you and a man if you allow there to be one”

Isabelle Darling, Head Girl, The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK)

“To me, International women’s day is a day devoted to honouring the strength, power, independence and overall admiration for all the women in the world. Despite the advancement in gender equality within society today, I still think it is immensely important for women to be celebrated. By dedicating a day to acknowledge these factors specifically for women, it acts as a way to enhance confidence and courage in those that may be lacking or failing to see the true commendable strength they withhold.”

“As head girl of The British School Al Khubairat I have been given a high amount of responsibility and power in my leadership position. This has not only increased my confidence and sense of self-worth but also enabled me to create a positive atmosphere and spread this to inspire and encourage others around me, both males and females. My biggest female role model is my mother as she never gave me any idea that I couldn’t do whatever I wanted to do or be whomever I wanted to be. She is my ultimate guidepost, continually inspiring, supporting and motivating me to grow and achieve my goals and desires, teaching me more than I could have learnt from any book. My father and mother are my twin pillars without whom I could not stand, they not only provide me with love, honesty and respect but also encourage me to aim to the highest of my ability and never give up on any aspiration.”

“The best piece of advice I’ve been given about being a woman in the society of today is ‘There’s only a difference between you and a man if you perceive/allow there to be one’. This was really impactful for me as it elicited the message that just because we are ‘women’ doesn’t in any way mean we are inferior or less of an importance in regards to positions, strength and power when compared to men. If you believe in yourself and overcome the possible differences between genders, there is nothing stopping you from attaining what you are destined to achieve. Some of the most successful and influential people are women. Heck, how is it possible that we are all here? WOMEN!”