March 8th. A day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women all around the world. International Women’s Day is a reminder of the progress made on the journey for equality. For this year’s International Women’s Day, ISY service learning group Hnin Si, took the lead by organizing impactful events.

First, we were fortunate to hear advice and inspiring words from town hall guest speaker Susan N. Stevenson, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Myanmar. Her presentation was motivational and heartfelt, where she shared her experiences as a woman and how she had overcome challenges along the way.

To mark International Women’s Day, Hnin Si hosted a poster competition which asked ISY students from elementary to secondary to promote the importance of this day. When passing by the gym, take a look at the posters on the noticeboard and appreciate the effort that students have made.

The Service Learning Blog asked ISY students about what International Women’s Day meant to them. Here are some of the responses:

“Women’s Day is an important day to express gratitude for all the women in our lives. A woman who inspires me is my mother. Her love, dedication, and hard work motivate me.” – Hyeonhu Jin, Grade 5

“International Women’s Day is about bridging the gap in equality that has persisted for years in the past. To me, this is an important day to remember the contributions and achievements of women.” – Cherry, Grade 10

While International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements towards equality, it also calls for addressing ongoing challenges. Hnin Si has taken on the challenge of breaking the stigma surrounding menstrual health. Hanni and Anna, two grade 11 students, founded this initiative to organize donation drives, host educational workshops, and ensure the accessibility of sanitary pads.

Leading Hnin Si has not been without its difficulties. One of the biggest challenges has been breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation. To overcome this, the team introduced interactive discussions, reframed the conversation as a matter of health, and worked hard to normalize the topic.

Hanni reflects on the journey: “Through persistence and small actions, we’ve been able to create an environment where talking about menstruation is less taboo.” Anna adds, “We’ve learned that positive change often starts with educating yourself and understanding the needs of your community before trying to make a broader impact.”

Hnin Si’s dedication is a powerful reminder that every effort towards equality matters. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re inspired not just by historic icons but also by young leaders pushing for positive change.

By Ki Ki Aung (grade 11)

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