According to UNICEF, 600 million adolescent girls will start work in the next decade and 90 per cent of those living in developing countries will go into informal roles where abuse and exploitation are rife.
Hugely passionate about gender equality, we asked Captain of School, Lauren Shuker to tell us more about her determination to raise awareness and use her voice for change.
Mrs J Peake, Governor
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
That we have only scratched the surface of the problems facing women world-wide.
Which women are you inspired by?
My friend Sarah - as miner's wife, she discovered her voice in the miners' strike of the 1980's. She went on to launch three successful businesses and continues to speak her mind without fear or favour!
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
To encourage today's school girls to realise that they still have a huge battle on their hands in order to win genuine equality, particularly when the bloom of youth has faded.
What taboos related to women do you wish were broken?
The taboo which renders grey haired women invisible!
Mrs C Tilley, Head
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I’m not really sure how I feel about this one, but I suppose it is a great chance to celebrate women in general. If there were no equivalent for men I should be less keen but there is, so at least all is fair!
Which women are you inspired by?
My mum has always inspired me, she is an amazingly positive and warm person who has always encouraged me to work hard, to believe in myself and to always contribute, whether it be at work, socially or as a member of our family. From history, I have been inspired by the bravery of Rosa Parks and Irena Sendler, and the wisdom of Maya Angelou. I am also incredibly inspired by Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama who spend a huge amount of their time using their influence to make life better for others, it is from people like these that I learned the principle of ‘paying it forward’. In truth, I also have enormous admiration for the Queen, regardless of what anyone might feel about the alleged privilege of royalty, her dedication to her duty to country has been phenomenal.
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
I would simply want to encourage women to be supportive of each other and to be the best women they can be. Some amazingly brave, determined women fought hard to help give us the opportunities we have today, women should never forget that, nor should they use being a woman as a ‘right’ to anything more than any other human being, equality of opportunity is what we should seek and expect.
What taboos related to women do you wish were broken?
I would like to lose the myth that there is anything negative in a woman being a strong leader.
Miss C Phillips, Housemistress of Derry and Assistant Director of Music
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It raises the profile of women across the world, particularly of those who are not fortunate to enjoy the rights and freedom that we have in this country.
Which women are you inspired by?
As a musician, I have been inspired by generations of female musicians who have gone before me. Whilst at school, as a prospective Oxford Organ Scholar, I was inspired by Libby Burgess, who was the first female to be awarded the organ scholarship at Christchurch, Oxford. The organ scholar scene at Oxford had previously been a male-dominated world and Libby broke this mould, a couple of years before I started at Oxford.
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
As a teacher it is vital that we are educating the leaders of tomorrow's world in all that we do and it is my hope that by leading by example, the drive for equality will continue across the world. Having lived in the Middle East prior to coming to Worksop, I have seen the need for this first hand. The celebration of women's achievement is paramount, and I personally, as Housemistress of Derry, look forward to hearing of the successes of the Derry girls in the future, in whatever field that may be.
What taboos related to women do you wish were broken?
That women are not as 'strong' as men.
Charlotte Kelham, School House
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD is an opportunity to not only celebrate achievements of women throughout history but to simultaneously increase awareness of the modern day issues women still face. Discussion and media coverage of the day raises awareness of this to both men and women, encouraging a more active movement.
Which women are you inspired by?
Women in history such as Florence Nightingale, achieving incredible feats despite living in a society with fewer opportunities presented to them.
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
I would like to play a role in educating younger generations of women, such as those in school, of the fascinating field of STEM. We need to inform more young girls on the vast range of occupations available to them.
What are your future aspirations?
I aspire to be involved in the field of medicine, either as a surgeon or neurologist.
Lauren Shuker, School House
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD to me is an opportunity to promote the successes of women in history and promote equality between sexes now and in the future, to ensure that women are presented with the same opportunities as men.
Which women are you inspired by?
Obviously the women in my family are an inspiration to me and have impacted my life hugely. I also think it is inspirational that our second female Prime Minister, Theresa May, is guiding Britain through such a crucial and hugely influential period.
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
After researching in detail about the violations which take place regarding women’s human rights, my aim is to learn more about how to assist women in less developed nations to gain their basic human rights, which in many cases at present they are denied.
What are your future aspirations?
In the future, my goal is to do volunteer work in less developed countries, working with women to increase female influence within society, and integrate them into the professional, working world.
Akari Yanagimachi, Gibbs House
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For me, IWD identifies the need for equality between genders and the actions we need to take to achieve it. Although there has recently been some improvement in the balance, there is still progress to be made.
Which women are you inspired by?
Mrs Platt-Hawkins, my Art Teacher. As Head of Art at the College, she has taught me the sophisticated study of art. She helps me with any nerves or pressure with her funny and very kind personality. I respect her as a woman, an artist and a teacher.
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
Our generation should continue raise awareness of equality all over the world, using IWD as a starting point. I believe we need to appreciate the women would fought for equality in past and those who continue to do it today.
What are your future aspirations?
My personal ambition is to be a representative of a company, independent from my father's organisation.
Emily Zehetmayr, Derry House
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD is not just about women, but those women who were and are incredibly inspiring. It continues to give a voice and platform to those who are brave enough to speak out in support for women’s rights, and gives incredible women the recognition they deserve.
Which women are you inspired by?
Catherine of Aragon. Not only was she faithful and loyal to her husband even when he forced her into an annulment, she had battled against half of the English court who wanted to remove her from the crown because she was a faithful Catholic queen. On top of this, she ran England as regent whilst Henry VIII was at war in France, in a time when women were regarded as not intelligent enough to rule countries, fought a battle with the Scottish, appearing as a warrior queen on the front line (whilst being pregnant), and won!
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
IWD shows how wonderful, clever, driven and successful women can be. My aim, especially as the female Prefect of Portland, would be to remind girls and women alike to look back at all those brilliant women who came before us, and feel inspired, because the evidence in front of us shows that we are perfectly capable of being amazing in our own right.
What are your future aspirations?
In the future, I would like to achieve a Masters in Ancient History and Archaeology, before taking a law conversion course in order to become a defence barrister in crown court.
Freya Webster, Gibbs House
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
IWD is a step in the right direction but it should not just be an annual celebration but one that is acknowledged all year round.
Which women are you inspired by?
My biggest inspiration is my mum, she is the most hard-working yet generous person, who prioritises everyone else before herself.
What are your future aspirations?
In the future I’d like to work in law and eventually be in leadership. I’d also like to carry on playing netball to the highest standard that I can.
Ella O’Reilly, Derry House
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
I believe it to be a global movement for highlighting and combating women’s rights violations in both LIDCs (Low-income Developing Countries) and ACs (Advanced Countries). It is also a celebration of women, both in the past and today.
Which women are you inspired by?
Both of my sisters - they are encouraging and have managed to overcome obstacles in their lives. Also Princess Diana, she worked to overcome the stigmas and prejudices against AIDS patients to prevent them from feeling isolated. This is inspiring to me as she did something that was frowned upon in society but managed to change the perception people had.
What role or impact would you like to play in relation to women's rights, today?
At the moment, I want to be a role model for our younger students in school. Whilst my academics aren’t the strongest, with determination I’ve reached where I am today as one of the strongest leaders in the school.
What are your future aspirations?
I wish to work in Human Rights Activism specialising in women’s rights violations or combating Climate Change, to make a change to our global society.