International Women's Day is on the horizon and ladies across the region have begun to dwell on what being a woman means to them.
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The social landscape has changed significantly over the years and continues to morph into different levels of equality and acceptance.
Year 6 student and School Captain of St Joseph's Primary, Ida Kurian, has grown up in the peak of a movement toward woman speaking up for themselves.
Miss Kurian said she is glad things have changed from the past.
"It is good sometimes that we get to do easier things but a lot of the time it is unfair," she said.
"Throughout the years it has changed a lot and if we were still in the times that we were before we would still be fighting over girls rights and boys rights."
The young lady spoke of her achievements that make her who she is.
"I would say getting school captain is my biggest achievement which is cool," she said.
"There’s still some people who are sexist and who say boys are stronger and all of that, but really, girls and boys can be the same and I think we need to work on trying to keep on achieving that by still telling people we are the same, and that we’re both humans."
As recent as twenty years ago, society was still significantly different to how it is now.
Claire Kendall is a Wagga woman in her thirties, and to her, being a women today means more access to certain freedoms but not complete control.
"Being a woman is a wonderful thing but it comes with challenges, and still now we’re fighting things like the gender pay gap, and the right to access termination services," she said.
"We don’t look twice at a woman working or being the breadwinner, or a woman voting, or an old woman driving a car - there are things where compared to years ago, we’ve come a long way but there's still a way to go."
Ms Kendall said International Women's Day is one step towards helping highlight women's rights.
"I like that International Women’s Day is gathering so much support and is getting bigger and bigger each year," she said.
"Social movements like the #MeToo campaign are really driving the empowerment of women and this momentum towards celebrating women."
To her, the issue of pregnancy needs more focus to improve the lives of women.
"One of the topical subjects is getting easier access to pregnancy termination services and decriminalisation of abortion in Australia, and whilst there are many things I’d like to see changed, that is definitely one of the more immediate issues," she said.
"It’s a really important access point and about making sure women have access to healthcare and the social care they need. "
We need to make sure that we aren’t making an already hard decision even more difficult for women
- Claire Kendall
One woman who has experienced the ebbs and flows of gender equality over time is 69 year-old Jenny Currie.
Mrs Currie said she loves what it means to be a woman, and holds out hope for where the future is headed.
"Being a woman is great with having a family and being able to be nurturing, I really think a lot of progress has been made in recent years too, and we have come a long way," she said.
"I was a teacher and circumstances were fairly equal then but even more so now, where it’s great to see so many female principals too.
"Problems of women in third world countries is a huge issue that I think should be a priority of what we need to face at the moment, but I understand it is easier said than done."
Mrs Currie said she was grateful for the country she lived in.
"Australia is very lucky and steps are going forward everyday here, so we can only hope it continues," she said.
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