March 9, 2023

Every year we celebrate International Women’s Day. This day is a chance to reflect on the struggles women have faced throughout history and their role in shaping history.

International Women’s Day at Elliott Hudson College, is a day to celebrate and acknowledge all women, acknowledges their cultural diversity, their strength and the role they play in society. This year, EHC student Phoebe Winks has written their thoughts on International Women’s Day and recognising transwomen and non-binary people in the conversation.

“It is important that we remember transwomen and non-binary people on International Women’s Day because although they are free to express who they are, there are still a lot of injustices that they face on a daily basis that we need to recognise in order to be able to combat the issues faced. Transgender women are women (this is not up for debate), and just because they were born in the wrong body doesn’t mean we should exclude them from this day of celebrating who they are. Similarly, non-binary is an umbrella term, and some people under that umbrella may identify more on the female spectrum, so it is important to celebrate them as we don’t want to leave anyone out.

A survey taken in 2018, then again in 2022, shows the extent to these injustices faced by those who identify this way. In 2018, 43% of people surveyed said that transgender women were women, however in 2022, that dropped to 38%. People tend not to be aware of the problems or injustices faced by transgender women or non-binary people and are even arrogant with the subject, which can be due to several factors, but the main one is they simply aren’t aware of the injustices, and the amount of rights they get over people who don’t identify as cisgender (meaning the same gender as that which they are born), making it more important to educate them. Likewise, as well as becoming more aware of the injustices faced, it is just as important that we celebrate the number of achievements they have had in history.

One important achievement to note is the passing of the Gender Recognition Act in 2004, giving transgender people the right to change their legal gender. Through talking about these issues and achievements that transgender women and non-binary people have faced and gained throughout time, it may give someone the courage to be more open with their own identity and reach out for others who identify the same way, creating a more accepting society and ultimately a society where people can be themselves.

Elliott Hudson College helps everyone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community feel included in a variety of ways, such as pronoun badges on lanyards as well as encouraging students and teachers to include their pronouns in their email signatures. We are also celebrated throughout the year with events, such as recently with a Friday dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ people where an event was held in the main hall. The community is accepting, with some teachers being members of the LGBTQ+ community themselves, which makes the community all the more accepting, inclusive and more comfortable for students to be their self without the fear of judgement.”

By Phoebe Winks, Elliott Hudson College Student