International Women’s Day: challenging stereotypes through discussion and reflection
Posted 13th March 2026
International Women’s Day: challenging stereotypes through discussion and reflection
This week at Dixons Fazakerley Academy, we marked International Women’s Day with library lessons designed to challenge stereotypes, promote critical thinking, and spark meaningful conversation — with plenty of humour along the way.
Students began by working in single‑gender groups, exploring what they believed were the positives and challenges of being the opposite sex. The responses were thoughtful, honest, and at times brilliantly funny. From conversations about male baldness, body hair, and periods, to bigger topics such as opportunities, expectations, and the gender pay gap, pupils weren’t afraid to share what they’d heard, assumed, or wondered about.
After gathering their ideas, the groups merged to compare perspectives. This led to lively discussions about:
- common misconceptions
- ideas that were completely inaccurate
- assumptions rooted in stereotypes or misinformation
- and the things students actually got spot‑on
The blend of humour and honesty created a safe space where pupils felt comfortable asking questions, correcting each other, and reflecting on where their ideas came from.
These lessons offered a fantastic opportunity to challenge stereotypes, build empathy, and encourage students to think critically about the world around them. As always, our pupils rose to the challenge with maturity, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from one another.
A meaningful - and memorable - way to celebrate International Women’s Day.
