Equality: if not now, when?

It was this question that took me to ‘WOW – Women of the World’ at the Southbank Centre on Saturday. In the year that marks 100 years since women got the vote in the UK, yet revelations about harassment and pay inequality abound, the festival explored how we can come together to change the world for the better.

The programme featured a diverse range of seminars, debates and performances – making the choice of what to see a challenge in itself! Hearing about the heroic efforts of women campaigning for justice or supporting the community following the Grenfell disaster was moving and truly inspiring. Learning how our Scandinavian neighbours approach childcare was enlightening, if not somewhat disheartening compared to our own model. Listening to Ruby Wax explaining how evolution is to blame for much of our emotional turmoil was a revelation. Finally, discussing the difference between suffragists and suffragettes left us questioning which we would have been back in the day.

At the end of a jam packed day I felt empowered and motivated to do more to tackle inequality. No matter how small the action, it is our collective effort that will make a difference – so speak up and do what you can!