International Women's Day - A Reflection by Angel

International Women’s Day always makes me pause and look at how far we have come and how far we still need to go. Women today have rights and opportunities that previous generations could only imagine. We vote, we lead, we build businesses, we shape policy, and we speak openly about issues that were once kept quiet. Every gain has been hard won through persistence, courage and the refusal to accept that inequality is simply the way things are.

That sense of progress feels especially real in my work at Partnership for Young London. Being part of a majority women team has shown me what it looks like when women are trusted to lead and to shape the spaces they work in. I am surrounded by colleagues who lift one another, challenge outdated thinking and create room for voices that are too often overlooked. Through my role, I get to speak with incredible women whose stories remind me why this work matters. Many have fought for their autonomy in quiet but powerful ways. Others are still finding their voice, and I see how much it means when someone believes in them.

I also work closely with young women who are learning to reclaim their choices and define their own futures. Watching them step into their confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. It is a reminder that progress is real, but the journey is far from finished. Barriers still exist. Inequality still shows up in subtle and not so subtle ways.

International Women’s Day is not just a celebration. It is a call to keep going, and I am proud that my work at PYL lets me play even a small part in that ongoing movement.

by Angel Singh, Youth Engagement Officer at Partnership for Young London