THE HOPES OF OUR FUTURE GENERATION
To celebrate International Women’s Day today, 10 women from across Wales share their thoughts on what it means to be a woman in 2021 and what would make life better for future generations. Here’s what they said
Eadyth Crawford, singer/ producer/sound designer, 23, Merthyr Tydfil
“What does it mean to be a woman in 2021? It means strength, persistence and encouragement. It means having a network of supportive women who are encouraging and can push you to that next level.
“In my experience, there are always hurdles and mountains we have to climb to reach the next steps and milestones in our lives. As long as we are persistent in following our dreams, then we just need to keep carrying on.
“Social media plays a big part in the anxiety that some people have, especially during the last year. My hope for future generations is that they have the confidence and encouragement to discover the positive side of connection, on social media and in real life, learning from both older and younger generations to help them grow and continue on their journey.”
Pınar Ögün, actor, Cardiff. S4C’s drašma Fflam star Pinar, 36, is originally from Turkey and has learned Welsh since living in the capital.
“As a girl that lives in Wales but doesn’t come from Wales (I’m originally from Turkey), in 2021 I’ve had to change my way of life because of the pandemic. We should all be able to breathe fresh air. And when we went into lockdown, it was important to have green spaces around us.
“It’s time to green our areas, time to create jobs, create hope and ‘cheer up’ Wales.
“I hope the future women of Wales will benefit from the work of women over history.
“International Women’s Day celebrates the Suffragettes who fought hard for our rights today.”
Emily Nicole Roberts, disability advocate and YouTuber, 22, Swansea.
“We’re trying to make a better future, therefore why are we still segregating people for things that are beyond their control? Due to my disability and being a wheelchair user, there have been plenty of times where I have been unfairly disadvantaged.
“I believe in ambition, adaptability, sisterhood and self-belief.
“I think those qualities are synonymous with the women of Wales and how we support one another.
“Our human-ness and our ability to show empathy and be a kind individual that gives back to society is much more important than what we look like or how we may seem to others. Human beings shouldn’t experience inequality or exclusion due to a personal circumstance, the way they identify, or in my case, a basic need that they cannot control. The human experience should be equal, as we are all human kind. Living an equal life is a requirement and our right.”
Yousra Elsadig, sustainable and modest fashion designer, Boutique De Nana, 33, Cardiff.
“It’s very hard being a woman. We’ve got to overcome a lot of hardship, we’ve got to stop a lot of criticism. My wish for women in Wales in 2021 is for us to be able to say no to those pressures and go for our dreams, regardless of how big or small they are.
“Being a woman in Wales in 2021 meant I had to be resourceful and passionate about what I’m doing, because there are a lot of times I had to push myself beyond my limits so I can deliver as a mother, as a student and as a designer. I had to tap into areas I never thought existed. To be a woman in Wales in 2021 means to do everything we love with passion, persistence and conviction. It’s to get together with local women to embrace change and to help those in need.”
Sonia Khoury, public health and well-being projects coordinator, 50, Rhos on Sea.
Qualified medical doctor Sonia won a UN Refugee Agency and Migrants Organise ‘Women on the Move’ Award in 2015, for her work with BME women fleeing gender-based violence, and advocacy on the situation of Syrian refugees.
“As a young girl, I hope that you remember your life is everything you can do with it. You are in control of your destiny. Whether you want to go to university, or not, whether you want to be a teacher or an engineer or an actor, you can do everything you want to do. There will be plenty of opportunities out there to support you. Please, do not let anyone restrict you from doing what you want. Believe in yourself and go for it because you can do it.
“Being a woman in Wales in 2021
'What does it mean to be a woman in 2021? It means strength, persistence and encouragement' EADYTH CRAWFORD
is hopeful, it’s not easy, but it’s exciting. As a girl, your world is the oyster.
“Life will go back to normal, slowly but surely, but it will be so much better.”
Kelly Allen, co-owner, LGBTQ+ jewellery business, KelZo, 39, Cardiff.
Kelly and her wife Zoey run the business and award-winning blog, Our Transitional Life.
“I think a lot of women are at breaking point. Even on social media there is pressure to be a ‘boss babe’ and do it all, and if you do it all then you are achieving, when we’re just burning ourselves out. We need more time to be able to do the things we enjoy, more time for rest and
recuperation. You shouldn’t have to burn yourself to the ground in order to have a nice, fulfilled life.
“A shorter working week would allow us to be more independent. It’s what a lot of people want and as a woman, it’s definitely something that I want. The idea of being independent wasn’t even a concept years ago because of how women were treated, so the fact that working parttime has allowed us to create our own business is pretty exciting.”
Zoey Allen, co-owner, LGBTQ+ jewellery business, KelZo, 39, Cardiff.“Being
a trans woman in Wales means fighting for equal and better health care, fighting for equal access to facilities, and fighting to be treated like a human being while we’re out and about.
Wales is trans women, cis women, straight, gay women... working together to make the community stronger.
“Being a woman in Wales in 2021 means continuing to struggle, in so many ways.
“One thing that would make life better is a better balance of the financial situation. A fairer balance of income. Currently the benefits and tax credits system is a bit messed up, a bit ropey for some people and really difficult to manage throughout the year, especially when you’re supported by self-employment.
“A shorter working week would massively help. I’m working parttime now and it gives me more time to focus on family, hobbies, starting my own business and being independent.”
Martha Musonza Holman, charity founder, Love Zimbabwe, and FE tutor, 49, Abergavenny.
“Women in Wales should stand shoulder to shoulder with women in Africa to fight the effects of climate change.
“As a black Zimbabwean woman who has migrated into Wales and living in Abergavenny – it’s a completely different culture. I’m very lucky living in Wales where women have got a voice.
“It’s not been an easy journey. I’ve found it really slow, not only as an ethnic minority, but as a woman in Wales, to progress in my own profession as a teacher. Inequalities still exist in different sectors of the economy and in general, black women are under-represented in areas of influence. So 2021 should bring positive changes to reduce these inequalities.
“A third of women make up the Zimbabwean parliament – which is something to be proud of.
“In Wales, we should have a better representation of ethnic minority women in different areas of influence that are valued by society. As we come towards the Welsh elections we hope for a bigger and better representatio n of women in the Senedd.”
Poppy Stowell-Evans, pupil and youth activist, 16, Newport.
“Being a woman in 2021 means being part of a revolution. Because you have the power, not just to change your life and the lives of women across the world, but the lives of women to come for centuries. We can create the world that we want to see. It’s a gift. A superpower. I hope that every girl and woman uses that super power for the better.
“My wish for future generations of girls and women in Wales is that all girls feel empowered, because none of us are equal, until all of us are equal.
I hope for a future where being a girl isn’t revolutionary, where it is celebrated and when people realise how much the voice of women and girls are needed.”
Sarah Rees, equality campaigner and law student, 41, Penarth.
“Being a woman in Wales in 2021 means fighting to ensure all women have a seat at the decision-making table.
“As a white woman, it’s my responsibility to use my privilege to raise the voices of other women in Wales. Covid-19 began as a health crisis but now what we are seeing is a crisis of inequality. If you are a black or minority ethnic woman, if you are a disabled woman, if you are a single mum, the pandemic has hit harder. This inequality cannot continue.
“My one wish is for all future generations of women in Wales to have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams. No more pay gaps, no more discrimination, no more glass ceiling.
“Seeing all political parties make room for women of colour in the Senedd elections would make life better for Wales.
“Who will be brave enough to use deeds, not words, to show that black lives matter here in Wales?”