NCYW celebrate IWD

International Women’s Day 2025 was recognised by students who participate in our NCYW programme, and some have shared their contributions with us. Nottingham High School focussed on how peer support can help girls to become leaders and accelerate change, by creating displays and student surveys. NCW Trustee, Penny Bennett, attended Croydon High School’s IWD event, a conference titled “˜Navigating through the Modern World-The Women’s Way’. Dr Shola Apena Rogers, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham, Director of the African Caribbean Education Network, and an alumni of the school, spoke about her life as a Forensic Psychologist. She shared her experience of misogyny in the workplace and research that she had undertaken with the British Transport Police for a campaign on sexual harassment, which contributed to the change in law on “˜upskirting’.  She advises that in order to effect change you need good qualitative data not just anecdotal evidence. Helen Fletcher, MD of The Women in Business Network, business owner and entrepreneur, reflected on the fact that the higher you get up the career ladder, the more difficult it is to be a young woman surrounded by older men. Her advice was to keep learning and make sure you have financial independence. The next speaker, Adanna Ezechukwu a barrister in family law, told the girls to “˜use your power, your voice is your power’. She advises that you need to shape your own story, otherwise the world will shape it for you. She also stresses the importance of speaking up for yourself and said that “˜Being quiet is not being polite’. Finally, Elaine Shanks, owner of technology consultancy company Daemon highlights that anyone can get into the technology industry. Elaine  stresses how important it is to have women in this field as so much is designed for and aimed at men. 70% of employees in tech are men. Her key messages were finding a good mentor, ally ship and networking with men.  Penny adds ” I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and it was great to hear these women advocating many of the values that NCW promotes