International Womens Day

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• PSHE
• Higher Education (degree)

What words come to mind when you hear “Women’s Rights”?

What is International Women's Day

International Women's Day celebrated annually on March 8, is a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It acts as a focal point for the women's rights movement, raising awareness about gender inequality.

Historical Inequality

in the UK

No Right to Vote

Unequal Pay

Property Rights

Education Barriers

Job Restrictions

Safety and Protection

Gender Roles

1. No Right to Vote (Before 1918)

What was unequal?

Women could not vote in general elections.

They had no say in laws that affected their lives.

Impact:

Women had little political power.

What was unequal?

Domestic violence was often ignored legally in the past.

Sexual harassment was not clearly recognised as a crime.

Impact:

Women had limited legal protection.

Many suffered without support.

What was unequal?

Women were often paid less than men for the same job.

Many higher-paying jobs were closed to women.

Impact:

Women had less financial independence.

Greater risk of poverty, especially for single mothers.

What was unequal? (1800s)

Married women could not own property independently.

A husband controlled money, property, and even children legally.

Impact:

Women were financially dependent on husbands.

Hard to leave unhappy or abusive marriages.

What was unequal?

Girls were often denied access to higher education.

Universities like Oxford and Cambridge did not award full degrees to women until the 20th century.

Impact:

Limited career opportunities.

Reinforced the idea that women belonged only in the home.

What was unequal?

Women were expected to leave work after marriage.

Many professions (law, medicine, politics) excluded women.

What was unequal?

Women were expected to be homemakers and carers.

Men were seen as leaders and breadwinners.

Impact:

Pressure to prioritise family over careers.

Unequal division of unpaid household labour (still relevant today).

Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Suffragettes and fought for women’s right to vote. Her campaigning helped women gain voting rights in the UK.

Do you think men and women are treated equally today?

1

Yes

2

No

3

Not sure

This happened in real life...

A girl was shot for going to school

Do you think these happened 100 years ago or recently?

Women were once banned from running marathons

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai was shot in 2012 when she was 15 for promoting girl's education, she was attacked for speaking out about girls being allowed to go to school. She survived and continued her work, becoming a global voice for education and equality.

In 2014, she became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to ensure that all children, especially girls, have access to education.

Some countries still limit girls’ education

A

True

B

False

Yemen

Yemen – Ongoing conflict has left many girls unable to attend school.

Somalia

Poverty, instability, and early marriage limit girls’ education.

Afghanistan

Girls are currently banned from secondary school and university in most areas.

South Sudan

Many girls leave school early due to child marriage and lack of access.

Nigeria

In some northern regions, extremist violence and cultural barriers prevent girls from attending school.

Iran

There are restrictions on certain subjects and increasing limits on girls’ and women’s educational opportunities.

The countries where girls’ education is limited is rarely about ability, it is often about;

Conflict

Poverty

Political Instability

Traditional Gender roles

Katherine Switzer

Women were banned from running marathons because people believed it was “too dangerous” or that women were not physically strong enough.

Kathrine Switzer, who in 1967 entered the Boston Marathon using her initials so officials wouldn’t realise she was a woman. During the race, an official tried to remove her, but she continued and finished the marathon.

It wasn’t until 1972 that women were officially allowed to run the Boston Marathon. The women’s marathon was later added to the Olympic Games in 1984 at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Male world record: 2 hours 0 minutes 35 seconds — set by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Female world record: 2 hours 9 minutes 56 seconds — set by Ruth Chepngetich at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

Jobs

For many decades, women were banned or discouraged from becoming pilots.

Women were banned from voting or standing for office in many countries.

Women were excluded from trades like carpentry, plumbing, and engineering.

Women were banned from attending medical schools and considered unsuitable for the medical profession.

Female doctors faced prejudice and were often limited to nursing or midwifery.

Women were often banned from professional sports or had very limited access.

Societal beliefs suggested women were too weak or delicate for competitive athletics.

Women were banned from becoming lawyers or judges in many countries.

Women were often excluded from universities and labs and discouraged from pursuing scientific careers.

Women were often banned from combat roles and limited to nursing, support, or administrative positions.

Women earn more than men globally

A

True

B

False

Worldwide

• Women earn roughly 20% less than men on average across all jobs.

• This is called the gender pay gap.

Causes

• Women often work in lower-paid sectors (care, education, retail).

• Women are underrepresented in leadership and high-paying roles.

• Unpaid care work (childcare, housework) often affects women’s careers.

• Some discrimination and bias in hiring and promotions.

Women in the UK got the vote

at the same time as men

A

True

B

False

All men over the age of 21 were allowed to vote in 1918

All women over the age of 21 were allowed to vote in 1928

One of the most gender-equal countries in the world

Equal pay laws

High number of women leaders

Strong parental leave rights

Progress made but gaps remain

Women vote and work in all careers

Gender pay gap still exists

Few female prime ministers historically

Highly developed country but workplace inequality persists

Few women in leadership

Cultural pressure around motherhood

Long working hours affect career progression

Severe restrictions on women’s rights

Girls’ education heavily limited

Restrictions on employment

Limited freedom in public life

One of the highest percentages of women in parliament

Women hold many government roles

Strong representation laws

Activity

How to Play

Guess Who? (Classroom Edition)

📝 Aim of the Game

Guess the person shown on the board behind you by asking the class closed questions (yes/no answers only).

---

📌 How to Play

1. One student sits at the front with their back to the board.

2. The teacher displays a name behind them.

3. The student asks the class closed (yes/no) questions only.

4. The class may only answer:

   • ✅ Yes

   • ❌ No

   • 🤔 Not sure

5. The student can guess at any time.

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Rhianna

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Selina Carpetner

Serena Willams

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The Queen

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Beyonce

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Adele

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Billie Eilish

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Nicki Minaj

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Doja Cat

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Kim Kardashian

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Greta Thunberg

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Emma Watson

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Cardi B

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Miley Cyrus

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Taylor Swift

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Olivia Rodrigo

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