IWD: Embrace Equity
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. … It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg
#embraceequity
The theme of today’s International Women’s Day is Embrace Equity. But what does equity mean at The Mount – the Uk’s only all-girl Quaker school?
The dictionary definition states “the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality” For many, when thinking of equity and women, it means taking an active role in challenging gender stereotypes, calling out discrimination, and seeking inclusion in all we do. Mount girls are surrounded by female role models who embody this philosophy. It could be hearing from old scholars as part of careers week or viewing older pupils in leadership roles. At an all-girls school a girl occupies every role, every part in the play, every seat on the student council, every position on the team. We teach our girls that they have enormous potential and to believe in the power of their voice.
But equity is not just about fighting for women’s rights – it’s also about embracing differences and valuing diversity in all forms. Equity and equality are words often heard at The Mount, thanks to our Quaker ethos. One of our aims is “Ensure girls respect and value every individual.” Our founding Quaker philosophy believes that all people, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual preference or physical or learning difference, deserve to be respected. We know that every one of our pupils has a valuable contribution to make and we teach them to see this in everyone.
We can all play a part in creating a fairer and more equal world. So, let’s #embraceequity, not just today but every day.