We cannot back down — our fight is not over!

We have ruled empires. We have lead armies. We have discovered and invented.

For thousands of years, women have been one of the biggest forces in reinventing the world and a source of power to society. History has often been unkind to women, casting them aside or erasing their achievements from the records. However, whether it was Celtic Queen Boudica leading an army to fight the Romans or Mariam Al Astrulabia remodelling the astrolabe or Anousheh Ansari researching the causes of anaemia in space; women fought to be recognised as they aspired to be the best and inspired others to be even better.

If I have learned anything from these women, it is to never stop trying. You must have heard this countless of times from various family members, your peers and the daily inspiration app on your mobile phone. Regardless, you cannot deny the truth that lies in those words. You will definitely reach a mountain in your journey, look at yourself and say: “I am not prepared for this — I can’t do it.” And that’s alright. Take your time, get comfortable and start climbing. Keep fighting the urge to give up; because women, you cannot allow yourself to back down, our fight is not over. Women were given the right to vote only 100 years ago in some countries, whereas in other countries, it is as fresh as 10 years. Junko Tabei became the first woman to climb Mount Everest on May 16, 1975, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director in 2010 and Mariam Al Mansouri became the first Emirati female fighter pilot in 2014. All those “firsts” are quite new, with many more waiting for us to accomplish, and that, too, especially in the Middle East.

So whether you are a housewife, teacher, businesswoman, hairstylist, 15 years old or 50, have a PhD or no degree at all: take care of each other. We cannot rise to our full and greatest potential without the help and support of each other. Be strong for yourself and be strong for your sisters. We will rule. We will lead. We will discover and invent. Happy International Women’s Day.

— The reader is an Emirati journalism student based in Sharjah.