WOMEN’S
NIGHT
AT ICS
In light of the International
Women’s Day which is
celebrated on 8 March every
year, a group of high school
students organized a Women’s
Night on 28 February 2019. The
evening was attended by several
members of the ICS community
and speeches and performances
were presented by HS students
and invited guests. “This project
is important because we need
to raise awareness about gender
equality and to celebrate all
women especially those who
have stood up and have been
strong against stereotypes
about women.” stated the
student organizers, Ga_Yun
(Lynna) Kim, Annie Chisesa,
Niamh Saunders and
Daniya Good
One of the invited speakers was
ICS French teacher, Aida Bekele,
who opened the evening with
a speech about her inspiring
grandmother. Dr. Teguest
Guerma, the internationally
acclaimed medical scientist,
health advocate, and founder of
the recently launched Midwifery
College LeDeg, made a speech
about her life and the need for
speakers included Jo Elizabeth “The evening was truly
Butler, a UN lawyer and inspiring and emotional,” says
founder of Jewels for Children Aida, “A lot of young girls who
and Ethiopian Children’s normally do not come forward
Appeal, and Leah Bryant, to share their thoughts opened
Chairperson of the ICS Parent up expressing their feelings
Community Link (PCL). and shared their opinions.”
ICS students Yemi and Fiker Following one’s own passion,
performed a co-written honoring and being true to
poem “Three Voices, One oneself and leaving one’s best
Song” with an aim to address legacy were the recurring
misconceptions and nuanced themes throughout the night.
interpretations of both The Women’s Night was part
feminism and antifeminism, of the IB CAS (Community,
and encourage the formation Activity Service) program, and
of a middle ground between the students organized it as
the two extremes. Another their service learning project.
pair, Maia and Blen, both in HS, “The night was very inspiring,
performed ‘Girl on Fire’ by the and we are planning to do it
notable African-American artist every year,” says Siham
Alicia Keys. “This song is a CAS teacher.
symbol of hope,” they noted.
empowering women. Other
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