International Women's Day 2009

By Joe Williams : 12 March 2009

Last Sunday was International Women's Day. The event is held every year to inspire women, celebrate their achievements and fight against discrimination.

Thousands of events are held across the globe and the date is marked and interpreted in many different ways. The official website lists as diverse activities as “political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances and fashion parades.”

Last year, the National College for School Leadership reported that the number of female heads was at an all time high, having grown by seven per cent in five years. However, The Independent has also quoted statistics implying a major imbalance of male and female headteachers, stating: “Despite the massive preponderance of women in the profession, only 31 per cent of secondary heads are women and only 5 per cent of private co-ed schools have female heads.”

Male or female, we hope you had the opportunity to mark International Women's Day, celebrate the contributions women have made historically around the world and think about the changes that still need to be made for women: whether it's a fairer proportion of school leaders being female or the global fight for women's equal access to education.

Events continue throughout March. You can find out more at the website, here.

You can also look at the following related factsheets:

 




RETURN TO TOP


  

e-newsletter

Sign up for our free, regular e-newsletter dedicated to teacher health and wellbeing.

SIGN UP



SITE TOOLS