08/03/2026
⚖️ International Women’s Day — Balance the Scales ⚖️
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Balance the Scales,” reminds us of the importance of fairness, opportunity, and respect for women everywhere.
More than two hundred years ago, Jane Austen quietly explored many of these ideas through fiction. Her novels placed women at the centre of the story — thinking, questioning, and navigating the expectations of their society.
From Elizabeth Bennet insisting on marrying for respect and affection, to Anne Elliot finding her voice after years of being overlooked, Austen’s heroines remind us that balance is often achieved through courage, judgement, and self-respect.
Their stories continue to resonate today because they reflect a timeless truth: progress begins when women’s voices are heard and valued.
Today we celebrate the women who continue to help balance the scales — in literature, in communities, and in everyday life.
Which Austen heroine best represents strength to you?
