According to the UN, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress, call for change, and celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and countries.

I remember when I was 6 years old, a boy at school bullied me every day by pulling my hair. People told me to ignore it or that he “liked me”, but I felt powerless. After a few days, I confided in my mother. Her advice was simple yet empowering: “Tell him to stop.” The next day, I did it and in that moment, I learned a lesson about speaking up, setting boundaries, and standing up for myself.

While society has made progress since then, there is still work to do. The IWD Community reminds us to celebrate achievements, raise awareness against bias, and take action for equality.

As a mother of three daughters, I carry a personal responsibility: to work harder, continue improving, and leave them a world where equality and respect are the norm. Every action counts, and every voice matters.