The clocks have moved forward, Spring has sprung, so here is my round-up for March as a coach, writer and human being.
UN Women CSW69
A change of direction this week as I reflect on my first-ever involvement in the #UNWomenCSW69 event this year. Because of various technical challenges, I could not attend as many events as I had planned initially, but that didn’t prevent me from being inspired and uplifted by what I did see.
Of course, there is still much to do and a long, long way to go. We still need to transform commitment into results. But I guess any journey starts with taking that first step.
It was fascinating to learn, on a global stage, what different countries are doing to advance the cause of gender equality. But the one phrase that stuck with me from the speeches and declarations is:
All women have the right to live a life free from gender-based violence.
Because I wasn’t entirely surprised to learn that globally, almost one in three women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their life.
I wonder what it will take to bring an end to gender-based violence, to eradicate it from the lives of all women and girls.
What do you think?
Dear Men
I have wrestled long and hard about whether to publish this post. I have been sitting on it for at least four months.
But then I finally remembered a quote often attributed to Maya Angelou along the lines of if not you, if not now:
If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?
Rabbi Hillel.
Especially as a family member recently experienced a couple of disturbing and frightening encounters while on public transport, enough for them to contact the British Transport Police.
So, I dug out my piece, Dear Men and posted it. Here is how it starts:
I sometimes wonder if we live in a parallel world or on a different planet. In a world where men can, by and large, go about their business without fear, anxiety and worry. Free from the threat of violence. Free from the daily hassle of unasked-for and unwanted male attention, comments, asides, whistles, clicking fingers, etc. I could go on.
To read the article in full, please click here.
I’d be interested to hear what you think.
Celebrating women writers
This Saturday, I will attend the ForthWrite Festival to celebrate women writers over fifty. I believe this is a first, but please correct me if I am wrong. I am particularly interested in the afternoon panel discussion, where we will hear the stories and experiences of women who have published their debut novels after fifty and maybe even after 60 😊.
‘Creativity doesn’t have an expiration date.’
Having just celebrated International Women’s Day, I am delighted to attend this event – because, and I am borrowing this quote from their site, ‘Let’s celebrate the vibrant creativity of writers in their 50s, 60s, and beyond – because it’s never too late to start your story.’
That’s precisely how I feel – it’s never too late to start your story.
So, who else is going?
Open Mic Number Three:
Maybe there was something in the air, perhaps it was something else, but Sunday night’s turnout at Afrori Books for our third open mic session was phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who listened as six of us shared our stories, prose, and poetry. I am deeply thankful to those who stepped forward:
Andrew Asibong
Ricky Baxter
Pauline Rutter
Andrea White
Dr Vedrana Velickovic
This time, I especially noticed how artfully and skillfully each person introduced their writing. They slowed things down and took a moment to provide context and background to their work. They prepared the ground to share their inspiration and the story behind it before launching into their reading.
And this, I think, created the space for their work to stick in the audience’s minds.
It gave me food for thought and is something I will work on as I plan future storytelling events.
Always something new to learn 😊.
Until next time
