Today, 8 March 2022, is International Women’s Day and the theme for this year is Break The Bias. According to the official International Women’s Day website:
‘Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.‘
But what does Break The Bias mean to you? What does it mean to me? Well the name of my blog is Fat Girl Fit and that is my way of breaking the bias. I am not cover girl size, but that does not define me, it does not determine my worth and it is not indicative of my ability. I am more than capable and I am fearlessly unapologetically me, always!
I spoke with some ladies who I respect and admire to find out what this years theme means to them:
Bianca Fernandez-Clark
Being a cyclist and triathlete is being constantly reminded that I am not the norm: female, black, and with a bigger body. Breaking the bias is ensuring that my sport sees me, makes me feel represented and that my strength is not questioned, because I am constantly seen as weak because I’m a woman.
Amy Marren
Sport to me is total freedom and pushing your body beyond own boundaries. I love sport because it gives me a chance to feel strong, when the world would expect otherwise. I also love how sport does not have a “one size fits all” nature about it, you can be the tallest or the littlest and still be in it for the love of the game.
Lucy Edwards
The number of women who compete in triathlon has increased, but the ratio still remains lower for females compared to males. This gender gap is caused by many factors, including cost, ability, access to training facilities and time constraints.
But often the biggest barriers to triathlon are not external, but rather internal blockers and fears which prevent women from getting outside of their comfort zone.
One of the ways I try to help break down the barriers is to share my own journey openly and honestly, including my own fears and how I’m overcoming them. I’m passionate about encouraging and supporting other women to challenge themselves in sport.
On International Women’s Day, I’m grateful to the women who inspire, encourage and empower me to challenge myself.
Sarah Biss
Netball has always been a big part of my life since school years. I have continued into my adult life both as a player and coach and now my two daughters also play. It is not uncommon for me to be one of the shortest players on the team and sometimes underestimated, which is wrong. I am quick, constantly moving and work hard on the court in either centre position or wing attack.
I am a mother now to three children, one boy and two girls, and people assumed the sport would be something I stopped but instead it is something I can share with my daughters and continue to be passionate about. Plus it is as they say the best things come in small packages.
Karla Williams
I have fallen in love with cycling and the ways it can help physically and mentally.
As my love of the sport grew, I realised how hard and intimidating it is for women to get into the sport and e-racing. This realisation made me passionate about promoting, highlighting and supporting women’s e-racing by managing a women’s e-racing team, Aeonian Race Team, and offering different types of races for the women’s community on Zwift. By doing this, I hope to provide the ladies the opportunities to try these races and get the confidence in themselves to enter the racing scene, which in itself is very intimidating.
Managing a women’s e-racing team also comes with it’s own challenges. People often think my e-racing and cycling knowledge is lacking simply because I am a woman, have no professional background or race at an elite level. My experience in Zwift and e-racing have empowered me with a lot of knowledge to offer. With my work in promoting women’s cycling and my love for the sport, I hope to help break some of these barriers and show other women out there, we can do anything.
Michelle Shaw
Cycling is still very much seen as a male dominated sport. Breaking that bias for me means being visible, being loud and standing proud.
Share your achievements and support other women to do the same.
Social media gets a really hard time but I’ve met some of the most inspiring women online-women like me, who I feel I can totally relate too, we are a force to be reckoned with, there will always be those who think men are more superior but these views are now being called out-people don’t seem as afraid to shout up when they think something is unfair.
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