Today is International Women’s Day.   Last year I wrote a post on empowering women,  you can read it here.  Just under 12 months on and everything I wrote is still as relevant as it was then.  Society still bombards us with pressure to look perfect.  This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about making women feel empowered.  I had a conversation with a friend recently whose daughter is dealing with similar issues I faced whilst at school.  When I thought about it afterwards, I’m still dealing with these issues today and I’m a grown-ass woman!  I’m still fighting an on-going battle with self-confidence and self-worth and its exhausting.

If we look at why we feel like this and why it’s so hard to increase our self-worth, it comes down to years of social conditioning that we need to undo.  From a young age toys, adverts, magazines, films, TV and now social platforms tell us that our worth is based on appearance.  Look at Disney films, for the record I still love Disney films, but as a female in a Disney film you are either young and beautiful and you get everything you want by the end of the film, or you’re old and ugly… and evil!  Social media platforms go on to tell us our worth is not only based on appearance, but on gaining attention and approval from others.

In a recent survey, 49% of people in Britain believe that life today is easier as a man than a woman.

So, what can we do?

We can stop trying to subscribe to unrealistic standards and be proud of who we are. Easier said than done, right?

We can break down gender stereotypes.

We can support each other.

We can lift each other up.

We can champion what we are passionate about.

We can share our stories to show other girls and women that they can do whatever they put their mind to.

We can use our voice.

I look to the women around me, my friends, colleagues, the women I see coming into the gym. They are smashing it every single day.  We shouldn’t feel pressured by these successes but inspired.

We’re going in the right direction.  Attitudes to gender parity are changing.  There are currently more girls playing sports than any time in recorded history.  Advertisers are starting to take notice that women come in all shapes and sizes and representing this in their campaigns.

I said it last year and I’ll say it again. Let’s celebrate these fierce and phenomenal women, breaking boundaries and breaking the mould, who do their thing no matter how sweaty they get!

Get involved…

Show us your game face

Share your stories or sweaty gym/sports photos with our social media accounts to inspire fellow women.  Instagram: @oulderhillleisure  Facebook: /oulderhillleisurecomplex.

Team up..

Rochdale Hornets Women’s team has just relaunched and train Mondays at OHLC 7-8pm.

Rochdale Ladies Hockey train every Tuesday and Saturday at OHLC.

Rochdale Junior Netball Club train every Thursday at OHLC 6-8pm.

Get together to play badminton, squash or netball?  We’ve got lots of sports facilities, just ask at reception or visit ohlc.co.uk/sports

Shake your booty

Our Zumba and AquaZumba classes are a great way to meet new people, get fit and have a laugh! You can view our fitness class timetable here ohlc.co.uk/fitnessclasses

 

Featured image:  Rochdale Hornets Women’s Rugby League Team who train at OHLC every Monday 7-8pm.