This week, Norwich High School for Girls marked International Women’s Day with a series of inspiring events, designed to empower students and spark meaningful conversations. The week’s theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” resonated throughout our activities, highlighting the importance of fostering a generation of female changemakers.

The week kicked off with a powerful Monday morning assembly led by Mrs Dolding and featuring our very own Feminist Society (FemSoc). This set the tone for the week, sharing a vision for gender equality and encouraging students to be part of the movement for change. The momentum continued with a lively lunchtime debate, hosted by Mrs Musson and the Debating Society, which tackled the motion: “This House believes that we are beyond feminism.” It was fantastic to witness such insightful discussions and the diverse perspectives shared. A highlight of the week was our Parent Seminar with Dr. Dominique Thompson, who provided invaluable insights into supporting young people to thrive.

To delve deeper into the spirit of International Women’s Day, we spoke with Saskia and Izzy, the passionate leaders of FemSoc in Year 12, to gain their perspectives on the week’s themes and their vision for the future…

“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ Central to this vision is the younger generation, as they act as a catalyst for future change. At Norwich High School for Girls, we are enriched with opportunities that allow us to gain the confidence to become powerful female change makers and advocate for equality; this reflects the UN’s theme of ‘Rights, Equality and Empowerment’ that progresses beyond International Women’s Day. In the wider world, unfortunately this is not the reality for all girls, but over the past decades there has been a major increase of women in leadership roles – this is evidence that the momentum for gender equality is certainly rolling in the right direction.”

Saskia: “In a world full of inequality and injustice, I believe that it is crucial to speak out and take action in pursuit of gender equality and female empowerment. We are fortunate to have access to an all-girls education, where we are encouraged to be leaders and challenge traditional gender norms. As a young feminist leading FemSoc at Norwich High, this year’s theme resonates with me, that there is still so much more we can all do to promote gender equality. As my role model Emma Watson quoted, as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, “If not me, then who? If not now, then when?””

Izzy: “Leading Fem-Soc is a privilege that allows me to be a part of the school’s great and progressive community. The club inspires me and others to support womens ‘Rights, Equality, and Empowerment’, honouring the progress society has made while constantly pushing for more. FemSoc is a refreshing reminder for me that despite the diversity of everyone’s interests, we share the collective goal of supporting each other and supporting feminism as a whole.”

“A small action you can do for other girls is to simply listen. By appreciating and understanding others’ problems, you are not only making them feel heard, but you are also improving your sense of connection and empathy. This in itself is feminism, as we are supporting each other to achieve our best. Moreover, it’s important to question and speak out against discrimination and gender stereotypes; be an activist, rather than a bystander. On a larger scale, getting involved in FemSoc is a great way to make lasting change. We intend to host events in the school, encouraging women’s empowerment in a variety of career areas. You could also go further by fundraising for a charity which supports feminism worldwide, or by supporting existing women’s rights organisations.”

“We were inspired to take on the leadership of FemSoc from the previous leader Hannah who is now in Year 13; Hannah conveyed her enthusiasm and passion for Feminism through her commitment to the society, which was something we both admired. Therefore, when given the opportunity to take over the society, we could not wait to get started and contribute to the legacy that had been built. FemSoc is a space for open discussion, activism and education, where students can feel empowered to question and learn about their rights and limitless capabilities as women in a world that is unfortunately not yet to the standard of complete gender equality.”

“Feminist Society is pivotal in discussing relevant and pressing issues regarding feminism today, whilst also reflecting on the progress made in the past. We recommend FemSoc for everyone and anyone, as we prioritise open and thought provoking discussions. The society prepares students to stand up for themselves and support others in the face of gender inequality. By attending FemSoc, not only will you be learning how to make a difference now, but also for the rest of your lives.”

Saskia: “Growing up through Norwich High has nurtured me to always put myself forward for opportunities and not feel afraid to speak out about what I believe in. The close-knit community of this school encourages girls to put themselves forward as leaders, express themselves in their own unique way and feel empowered to ask questions in lessons without the fear of judgement. Norwich High has shaped me into who I am today, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of this amazing environment.”

Izzy: “Norwich High School fosters a great sense of unity, with the prioritisation of girls, the school has ensured that everyone’s voice is heard and valued. Personally I love the diverse range of talents and interests present in school. Everyone is passionate and supportive of each other’s unique qualities, making it a great school to be a part of.”

“A girl’s-first education creates a culture of support and inspiration. We are often presented with inspiring and relatable female role models which fosters confidence and long term self belief. These talks and opportunities help break down gender stereotypes, create inspiration and expose us to new careers, broadening our ambitions and imagination. Furthermore, a girls-first education supports every student to feel valued and heard by fostering an environment that is free from traditional gender stereotypes. As a result, community and education are put at the forefront of our school’s values, making girls feel supported everyday, rather than just on International Women’s Day.”

Thank you to everyone who took part in this week’s events and helped make International Women’s Day at Norwich High School for Girls such a memorable and impactful occasion.