Date: 23 February 2021 Author: Energise Me
This International Women’s Day we #ChooseToChallenge the gender gap in physical activity.
Marked annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about women’s equality. We’ll be joining in to celebrate women in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have found their own ways to be active.
On average, women are less likely to be active than men. In England, 39% of women are not active enough to enjoy improved health and wellbeing compared to 35% of men. This gap is reducing but there is still work to be done.
Fear of judgement, lack of confidence and time pressures are stopping women from doing something they want to do.
“I had wanted to improve my fitness for a long time. But I was scared of joining a gym, boot-camp or signing up to a class. I thought everyone would be fit and skinny, I didn’t want to go on my own and wasn’t sure if I was going to be ‘good enough’.”
Carole, Hampshire Resident
This year’s theme is #ChooseToChallenge because a challenged world is an alert world. We can all choose to challenge inequality and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change!
So this International Women’s Day we are choosing to challenge the gender gap and preconceived ideas around women and physical activity. We want women everywhere to feel comfortable to be active. We’ll be celebrating women of all shapes, sizes, abilities and backgrounds being active in their own unique ways.
Whatever you look like, however you move, it all counts!
You can join in and show your support on the day by sharing a photo of yourself with your hand high to show you’re in and that you commit to choose to challenge.
Post your photo along with what you’re choosing to challenge and the hashtags #ChooseToChallenge and #IWD2021. And tag @EnergiseMe_ because we’d love to see them.
Find out more about the campaign on the International Women’s Day Website.
Helping us tackle inactivity to boost health and happiness
