Deputy Editor’s perspective: For the girls

International Women’s Day, a day marked to celebrate the women’s rights movement, has just passed. On that day I took time to think about the women in my life who inspire me. My mother, grandmother, and several close friends are all strong characters, not afraid to stand up for what is right.

I thought of my favourite novelists, who write complex and interesting female characters that push the boundaries of gender stereotypes, the likes of Ottessa Moshfegh, Eliza Clark, and A.S King. They all show how writing has such an impact on gendered dialogue.

As girls grow up they are exposed to mixed messaging, telling them to change, to love themselves, to have body neutrality, and to pay for the way society wants them to look. All this can bring about serious mental health issues.

In my role, what I write and edit will be read by thousands of people, the majority being women. Therefore, I aim to be constantly mindful of how my words may impact a reader, and whether they enforce harmful gender stereotypes, or encourage positive change.

Along with that, I need to be aware that, as women, we can, sometimes, enable the discrimination of other women simply to survive, whether that be socially or in the workplace.

My ongoing goal is to not allow this to happen, and I’d like to think other women support the same goal.

As women we must strive to uplift each other and work together to make, at the very least, our corner of the world more equal.

–  Daniella Judge