For International Women’s Day each year, British Embassies organise a competition in each country for a young woman aged 15-18 to come and discover what it’s like to be an ambassador for a day. In 2026 the opportunity will be extended to eight young women in France. Applications need to be in by 4 January … Continue reading “Eight French Young Women Could Be Ambassadors for a Day”
On 18 October each year, Canada celebrates “Persons Day” in memory of the day in 1929 when women were legally recognised as “persons” in Canadian law, giving them access to political and institutional roles. The legal decision was in answer to a suit brought by five women, who became known as the Famous Five. … Continue reading “Breaking News: Women are Persons”
This short humorous film from the BBC tackles the issues of sexism, racism and the pressures on actresses, but also all women, to look and act a certain way. You can use this video to raise awareness and have your students think about this issue in an amusing way. No doubt you and your students … Continue reading “Leading Lady Parts”
Rosalind Franklin is one of the invisible women scientists that litter history. Her work was integral to the discovery of the structure of DNA but only the two male scientists James Watson and Francis Crick are remembered for the achievement. A play in Paris looks at Franklin’s career. The Rosalind Franklin Affair is the last … Continue reading “The Rosalind Franklin Affair on Stage”
You may not be familiar with her name but you must be familiar with her struggle: fighting inequalities, defending minorities and women… Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazer in politics, the first African American woman to run for president in the 1970s paved the way for the following generations thanks to her determination. Her willpower and desire to … Continue reading “Chisholm for President”
Everyone has heard of the Suffragettes and their actions, yet, have you heard of Princess Suffragette? This Indian princess, whose father was the last ruler of the Sikh Empire, gave up her socialite life in order to fight for a cause. Meet Sophia Duleep Singh, goddaughter to Queen Victoria who got involved in Emmeline Pankhurst’s … Continue reading “Princess Suffragette”
On International Women’s Day 2024, France is including the freedom to have an abortion in its constitution while Ireland is holding a referendum to remove clauses from its constitution which promise the Irish state will do everything it can to allow women to stay in the home. The Irish constitution was adopted in 1937, in … Continue reading “Irish Referendum on Women’s Role in Society”
The Commonwealth Youth Awards honour young people from around the world for their work trying to advance one or more of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s winner, Maya Kirti Nanan from Trinidad and Tobago, founded an organisation to help people with autism in her Caribbean island home. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association … Continue reading “Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2023”
The ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August. The tournament is being billed as the biggest ever women’s sporting event . More than a million match tickets have been sold and the tournament will involve the biggest number of teams, and therefore matches, … Continue reading “Women on the Pitch”
Rosalind Franklin should be a household name as one of the discoverers of the structure of DNA along with James Watson and Francis Crick. But like so many women scientists, her work was minimised and she died before Watson and Crick were awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery. Rosalind Franklin was born in London … Continue reading “Rosalind Franklin: Scientific Pioneer”
