GLOBAL heroines

Has there ever been a moment in history when women were more at the centre of things? From global leaders and media moguls to sporting superstars and business tycoons, our voices are being heard.

Gone are the years when football was a woman-free zone, or parliament was a sea of old, white men. Today’s CEOs, politicians and scientists are increasingly likely to be women, and campaigns calling time on sexist and abusive behaviour are gradually bearing fruit. However, women and girls have been disproportionately affected by the COVID pandemic. Globally, we’ve had more job losses, education disruptions and increased burdens of unpaid care work. On top of that, the gender pay gap endures, while men still hold more positions of political power and employment management.

Of course, there’s plenty to be done, but for this month’s International Women’s Day (on 8 March), let’s champion those women and girls