May 8, 2021
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021
March 8th, 2021 – International Women’s Day
”Let’s all choose to challenge” is the 2021 theme presented by the organizers of the International Women’s Day collective movement. The aim is to challenge ourselves to create a more inclusive world, call out gender bias, inequity and celebrate women’s achievements. This year we feel grateful to present a very personal interview with a fantastic woman and mother, Stephanie (@stephaniepeeni). She is all about self-growth, body positivity, and being a true role model. Challenge leads to change, so let us all choose to challenge.
Will you #ChooseToChallenge with us?
What does this year’s theme mean to you?
To me, this year’s theme means growth! It means that we finally see the change that needs to happen in order for our children to grow up in an inclusive, kind, understanding and loving world.
Do you have a special woman you look up to?
I look up to my dear friend Jo who has the most incredible relationship with her three boys. They are kind and gentle. I learn so much from her as far as parenting goes, which to me is the most important job in the world.
You are a woman and a mother – how does that make you feel?
I think the most difficult thing about being a woman and a mother in today’s society is all the extra outside influence we have, for example, social media. With so many accounts out there showing pictures of perfect lives, it places an unrealistic expectation on us as women and mothers what life should be like. Then in turn, we judge and compare ourselves with one another rather than understand, support and show kindness.
However, I do see change. I do see that more accounts, like myself, are popping up showing the realities of motherhood, of womanhood and normalizing the struggles that we all face throughout our lives. I see change, I see growth and this excites me! There is a better, more understanding and accepting future for our babies.
What women’s issue is closest to your heart?
Violence against women. It is so prominent here in New Zeeland and this hits me close to home as my sister in law tragically lost her life to domestic violence.
What do you think we all can do to support this issue?
I think we need to check on our friends and family more. We need to intervene. People often stay quiet and don’t want to get involved, but we need to support our sisters, mothers and daughters.
In violent relationships women lose their sense of self-worth, they no longer see their strength which makes the relationship extremely difficult to get out of. That is where we need to help build them back up, help them see how worthy they are of a loving relationship and get them to a place of being strong enough to say no more and leave.
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