2022 has been a defining year for women. We’ve rounded up the top feminist moments of the past year to reflect, remember, and celebrate the world of women.
- Lionesses Euro Victory
England’s Lionesses made history and finally bought it home by becoming European champions.
Women were banned by the FA from playing football in the until 1971 and were only able to make a career out of football in 2009 when the FA introduced central contracts. After just over a decade of funding and support, the Lionesses did the unthinkable and won the Euros. Imagine what else they can achieve in the future.
2. The Iran Protests
After the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, the people of Iran took to the streets to protest against the country’s extremely strict morality laws.
Women have played a key part in the protests by burning their headscarfs and cutting their hair, bravely facing the threat of imprisonment and punishment by doing so. The image of a woman cutting her hair has become a worldwide symbol for female empowerment, with the BBC including ‘Woman cutting her hair’ as one of their Top 100 Women list.
3. Celebrating the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
In September, we said goodbye to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was the longest running female monarch in British history, a junior commander in the ATS, and a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. What a legacy she has left behind.
4. Wimbledon relax their all-white dress code
Wimbledon have agreed to relax their all-white dress code for women. This comes after a campaign by Gabriella Holmes and Holly Gordon asked Wimbledon to #AddressTheDressCode in relation to their periods.
5. The WO Business Academy
This year we launched The WO Business Academy programme to support local, unemployed women with their start up business. From finances, to marketing, to confidence and resilience, we’ve supported women to get them on the right track. We can’t wait to carry this on in 2023!
You can learn more and sign up to our next programme here.
6. Updated Gender Health Report
The UK Government released an updated gender health report earlier this year. This was a landmark for women’s health in the UK as they are now starting to implement long term plans to close the gender health gap, including endometriosis support, extra funding for breast cancer awareness, and widening access to HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
7. Kate Bush breaking records
Kate Bush broke three UK chart records after the resurgence of 80s classic, Running Up That Hill, reached Number 1 in the summer following it’s appearance in the Netflix drama Stranger Things. She is now officially both the first & the oldest woman to have a self-written UK No.1.
8. BLACKPINK become the first all-female, Korean act to headline Hyde Park.
9. Jessika Inaba breaks barriers for diversity and disability
Jessika Inaba smashed through the ‘triple-glazed glass ceiling’ to become Britain’s first blind & Black barrister.
10. The Women’s Organisation win big in 2022
This year, we have been recognised locally and globally for the work we do for women and women’s entrepreneurship. From winning the Customer Focus Award at the Echo Business Awards, to the Champions Award for our international work at EntreComp in Brussels, our team has put in a huge amount of effort, teamwork, and expertise.