I recently made the move to the countryside in Sussex, and I’m excited to discover the beautiful landscapes of this side of England. One thing to know about me is my deep fascination with nature. Growing up in Namibia, a country renowned for its diverse landscapes, including: the Namib desert, the Atlantic Ocean, and lush savannas and woodlands. I learned early on the importance of respecting and coexisting with animals and the environment.

As a child, I spent my days running barefoot, not because I lacked shoes, but because it was for me an exciting way to connect with nature. It was about joyfully embracing the earth beneath my feet and feeling a connection to my ancestors who walked these lands before me. Despite the occasional thorn encounters, I never got bitten by any scorpions or snakes. These experiences instilled in me a sense of bravery and most importantly a deep appreciation for the beauties of nature.

I have fond memories of singing while picking berries, hiking, and hugging trees, activities that still bring me joy today. I enjoy the outdoors especially activities where I am surrounded by nature such as hiking, canoeing, snorkelling, windsurfing, horse riding. I recently added skiing to the list of ways to enjoy the beauty of planet.

Upon moving to England, it was no surprise that I found myself spending much of my screen time immersed in documentaries about animals and nature. Some favourites included Planet Earth, The Life of Mammals, Extinction: The Facts, and Africa, among others. Sir David Attenborough’s incomparable voice and captivating adventures further deepened my love for the natural world. Through these documentaries, I felt as though I had traveled the globe without leaving my living room.

Regrettably, the ecological systems we all rely on is facing a triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. According to recent studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO), it indicate that 3.6 billion individuals currently reside in regions highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It is projected that between 2030 and 2050, climate change will result in roughly 250,000 extra fatalities annually, primarily due to undernutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat-related conditions. The data from World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. Therefore, the climate crisis is not merely affecting small parts of our planet, but it is everyone’s problem as it impacts every aspect of our lives and poses serious threats to the future of human health.

One of the most concerning effect of climate change is the unprecedented increase in our planet’s temperature due to human activities. However, by minimising our carbon footprint, we can reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, which are primarily generated by human activities. Individuals have the ability to make responsible choices and decisions regarding lifestyles and their impact on our planet.

Governments possess the tools, authority, and resources to enact laws and implement measures to facilitate nature’s healing process. The Net-zero initiative should not solely be viewed as a goal for scientists or simply used as a political buzzword to earn votes. If the world leaders can take collectives and decisive actions in response to global threats such as the Coronavirus pandemic, they should also take similar actions to address the global climate change crisis.

On the bright side, throughout history, we’ve seen that every movement for change begins with one person taking action. Take Senator Gaylord Nelson, for example. Concerned about the deteriorating environment, he recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to organize a protest involving a large number of students, aiming to capture the attention of the broader public. As a result of their non-violent, peaceful protest, today we celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22. This highlights the power of individuals coming together to advocate for change, leading to remarkable outcomes.

Before closing I want to share a few suggestions on how each of us can make the difference and contribute to protect our planet:

• Do an online courses about planet Earth and climate change or read some accessible free resources available online.
• Reduce energy consumption by using energy-efficient appliances, switching off lights when they’re not needed, and unplugging electronics when they’re not in use.
• Reduce waste by recycling, composting organic materials, and avoiding single-use plastics.
• Choose cycling or walking as a preferable option instead of driving everywhere.
• Support sustainable products by choosing items with minimal packaging.
• Stay informed about environmental issues and advocate for policy changes that promote sustainable practices and protect natural resources.

Here are a few useful website to visit for useful tools and insightful information about climate crisis and sustainability:

• https://www.earthday.org/history/
• https://www.un.org/en/climatechange
• https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/
• https://www.ourplanet.com/en/
• https://www.givinggreen.earth/about-us
• https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/what-is-climate-change/

In conclusion, spring is a season of new beginnings and inspiration, a way for us to take a moment to reflect on the fresh starts and personal growth. Jumping into a swimming pool or the sea before learning how to swim is a recipe for drowning. Perhaps this is a time for us to gradually learn more about the natural world in order to help preserve the beauty of our planet.

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“I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world.”

Malala Yousafzai

Gender bias is the judgement, unequal treatment or discrimination against an individual based on gender rather than their abilities or merits. Women have made significant progress, breaking barriers, advocating for the right to vote and even the freedom to wear trousers, and challenging traditional ideas about women’s roles and capabilities.It’s a time to celebrate women’s achievements and the victories won in the fight for equal rights. Sadly, women still continue to be grossly overlooked, underestimated and underrepresented through dominant frames in the mainstream media.

How women are portrayed by the mainstream media has the power and ability to influence young people in decision making about their career options based on the images they see of other women on their screen, whether on social media platforms, newspapers, television or radio. The mainstream media coverage still depict women as being weak, overly emotional, powerless and incompetent compared to their male counterparts, who are portrayed as intelligent, strong and powerful (Kitzinger et al, 2008). Although diversity and inclusion are changing the employment trends workforce, more still need to be done to tackle the inequalities and deconstruct the system that was built by men for men.

“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”

Michelle Obama

Today, most professional careers are quintessentially male at senior levels, whether that is in science, technology, engineering, academia, construction and politics. On the Financial Times-Stock Exchange 100 Directors list, only Marjorie Scardino from Pearson media and publishing company was named as a CEO. (Singh et al, 2001: 206).Gender stereotypes are used to define, decode, limit and place individuals in boxes and this is often used by the mainstream media through framing strategies to produce preferred meaning for the target audiences.

Women are the real architects of society.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Despite women making up half of the UK population, they are underrepresented in leadership or senior positions where decision-making occurs. For example, to cite a select few instances, a recent report shows that as of March 2022, out of 650 Members of Parliament, only 225 are women. This means that most seats in the House of Commons are held by men, and the Conservative Party, the largest party in parliament, represents less than 40 percent of these women MPs, at just 25 percent. Majority of board directors positions are held by educated, white, middle-age males from similar socio-economic backgrounds (Singh et al, 2001). Gender equality should be taken into consideration, because majority of man are currently responsible for policies and decision making for women.

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In conclusion, today, we honor the strength, resilience, and accomplishments of women worldwide. Let’s continue to shine bright and break barriers. Representation matters; it motivates and inspires the next generation of women to pursue leadership roles. Therefore, the time is now for women to assume decision-making positions and reclaim power. In any democracy, equality, diversity and inclusion is crucial for a fair and equal society.

Wishing you all a Happy International Women’s Day!

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I took an interest in writing about media representation of women in technology for my dissertation last year, because of my own personal lived experiences and perspectives. As a millennial, I observed that most of the technological products and services use by youth today began with my generation, such as the first IBM Simon smartphone. However, in Namibia where I grew up, girls were encouraged to only play with dolls, whilst boys had the opportunity to be exposed to legos, cars and computers. At secondary school, subjects such as mathematics and science were pursued by boys and needle work and life skills by girls. The conditioned mindset as a millennial from different factors including parents, school and religious influences was that technology is the men playground, where women are not welcomed and do not thrive or become successful, and the media under-representation of women in technology only exacerbates the problem even more, because one can only become what they see.

With that said, I have always been fascinated about STEM. My passion for technology grew more in 2020, during the pandemic, when it became evident that advanced technologies were able to save millions of lives, with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, being the fastest in global history. Examples of how technologies enabled the public health response are the home Covid test kits and the test and trace system used during the pandemic. Also the first year of my degree was solely online using Microsoft Teams collaboration platform for studying and Zoom software for hybrid working from home. All this was possible because of advanced technology and the Internet, and it became the new normal for everyone around the world.

The first time I learned how to use computer languages such as HTML and CSS was during the Digital Media Design and Development course at Birkbeck, University of London as part of my degree. It was the first time I learned how to do basic coding and as the result of this course, I discovered a new interest and passion for coding. I was inspired by the potential and applicability in almost every field, from structuring, designing, solving complex problems, managing and analysing large datasets. Therefore, this inspired me to follow a career as a multifaceted writer, who can cover different topics, with aspirations to specialise on technologies.

Although extensive research has been carried out on women in technology, little has been written about research which adequately focuses on women technology writers. Who gets to construct the narratives in the UK mainstream media and from what perspectives? Do we live in a fair and equal society where every voice is heard regardless of gender, class and ethnicity? For example, when it comes to research technologies that are going to change the way societies function and operate in the future, women should be given a seat at the table. The mainstream media should emphasise on the importance of including diverse women in new technologies that will have the largest impact on our society. These game-changing technologies have the potential to transform the world as it is known today, therefore these are the gaps that women need to urgently fill in our societies.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day

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It was my daughter’s first real experience surrounded by the beauty of high mountains and snow, and this was my first time skiing. Whether seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, a holiday to the Swiss Alps offers positive effects both physically and mentally. For me this skii break with my husband and daughter was incredibly relaxing and energising at the same time.

Skiing for the first time

Every time I fell down while skiing, I glanced up at my instructor. It was evident in his eyes that he struggled to suppress laughter, because I was too busy screaming and laughing at myself. Despite my comical flops, he kept a straight face, being all professional and cheering me on to stay calm and focused. And let me tell you, witnessing a 6-foot person “gracefully” fall to the ground is a comedy show in itself. It’s like a slow-motion drop, with long legs and arms flailing in all directions

At the end of this holiday though, I felt I have conquered the mountains, thanks to my instructor expertise, patience, and encouragement. He made all the difference in turning what initially seemed daunting into an enjoyable and unforgettable adventure. I am also grateful to my husband for instilling in me a newfound appreciation for skiing and helping me conquer the initial challenges. Skiing for the first time taught me that every turn and twist is like learning to adapt and overcome challenges. I observed that engaging in these activity not only provides exercise but also promotes cardiovascular health and overall fitness.

Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world

David McCullough Jr

The early difficulties on the slopes are similar to life’s challenges, but with practice and staying strong, I gained control, smoothly navigating through the twists and turns. Reaching the bottom of the mountain feels like a victory, similar to my name. Since my childhood, I learned that challenges make us uncomfortable, but they develop virtues such as resilience, perseverance, endurance, and patience. Therefore, with each successful ride down the slopes, one gain confidence to overcome new challenges—whether on the slopes or in life. It all depends on our mindset.

My tips for First-Time Skiers

• Invest in good quality technical base layer: thermal leggings under ski pants and a fleece and/or a lightweight insulated vest under your ski jacket.
• Invest in good quality waterproof ski jacket and pants.
• Ski gloves and socks with a high content of merino wool blended with elastic.
• Waterproof boots that are long enough to cover your ankles
• Don’t forget your winter hat and ski goggles, Yes, the heat from the sun in the mountains feels like summertime.
• In the mountains, you usually burn a lot of energy. So, for a good meal, I recommend having both soup, meat, and of course, always leave some space for desserts. This will leave you satisfied, and the flavours are absolutely delicious.

Beautiful Scenery

The Swiss Alps display awe- inspiring and breathtaking landscapes, with crystal clear lakes, stunning mountains views and lush greenery. While in the mountains, I absorbed my surroundings and fully immersed in the moment, surrounded by calm and peaceful environment that helps me feel deeply connected to nature. Additionally, the mountain air, being cleaner and fresher, provides an ideal environment to engage in meditation by concentrating on the breath—taking deep inhalations and exhaling slowly.

Fresh Mountain Air

The air is filled with a pure, refreshing coldness, and the snow is thick, displaying an enchanting white colour. The mountains contain a distinct form of oxygen that made me feel fresher, healthier, and energetic. This holiday was a chance to escape from daily routines, clear the mind, and focus on the present moment because that is all we have; the past is gone, and the future is unknown.

In conclusion, surrounding ourself with the beauty of nature and immersing in different cultures, can strength health, enrich our intellect and broaden our perspectives. Indeed, I strongly believe that if we respect and understand each other’s cultures, these facilitates collective learning and foster collaborative efforts that can be employed to solve the problems our world is facing today.

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Miss Anouska Armon is an Arts teacher at a secondary school in central London. She have been teaching for seven years and have Bachelor degree in Fine Arts and Education. Miss Armon passion for arts started at the age of 14 and she knew that one day she will pursue a career as an art teacher. Some human experiences or stories can not be communicated through written words alone, but also through other various forms of human expressions including visual arts and performing arts.

Arts is a natural form of expression from toddler age, for instance, children instinctively pick up pens and put them on paper to draw.

MRS ANOUSKA ARMON

Art teachers play an important role in nurturing creativity, developing students artistic skills and also contributes to their personal growth. Anouska pointed out that there are different forms to creativity through various medium such as: dance,music,theatre, drawing, painting and sculpture. Therefore, creative thinking can foster curiosity and inquiry, this can also inspire individuals to become great researchers and creators.

Therefore, creativity means many things to her, “it is an expression such as physical expression through imagination, movement or skills that an individual possess” –Miss Anouska Armon.

Arts education is also known to foster tranfereable skills in students, including creative thinking, communication skills and problem solving.Therefore, skills gained from the arts education are signicantly important for future employment in different sectors.

The best advice she would like to give to someone who is inspiring to become an art teacher is to have a lot of patience with students and also themselves. She also advice young people to take risk and never be afraid to make mistakes, because some of the best pieces of art work in galleries were produced through experiments.

“Always remember that Arts is not limited and there plenty of different  options to chose from in the creative sector”.

— MRS ANOUSKA ARMON

In conclusion, the government should prioritise publicly-funded arts for the cultural and creative sectors, because it is amongst the top 5 industry to drive economic growth in the United Kingdom. For example, according to recent statistics, one in six jobs are provided by London’s culture and creative industries. In contrast, in the mainstream media there have been news about lack of material resources due to funding cuts by the Conservative government. Government-funded arts is significantly important and requires more educators in secondary schools and higher education institution to train young Londoners for success in the cultural and creative sectors.

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The holiday season provides us with an opportunity to rest, reflect, and spend quality time with loved ones. I traveled to Namibia, my place of birth and upbringing, for Christmas and New Year. This holiday was particularly special as I returned with my husband and daughter. Namibia possesses abundant natural resources, with its primary export commodities including raw copper, cut diamonds, gemstones, granite, lead products, marble, uranium, and zinc (www.namibiahc.org.uk). The Land of the Brave offers several noteworthy places to visit, and in this post, I will share a few recommendations.

Swakopmund

It is an exquisite coastal town adorned with sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, and it is also in proximity to areas that offer adventurous tours featuring activities such as quad-biking, camel riding, sandboarding, and skydiving. During Christmas and New Year’s Eve, families come together, setting up music and enjoying a beachside barbecue,(known as braai) grilling mouth-watering, delicious meat.

Langstrand also known as Longbeach

It is situated between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, offering a clean, tranquil, and serene residential environment with expansive holiday homes suitable for large families. Our time there was delightful, spent taking walks, observing dolphins play in the distance, and, of course, witnessing the spectacular sunset at the beach.

Walvisbay

It serves as the primary port town in Namibia, complemented by the presence of Walvis Bay International Airport, although the main international airport in Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport. According to Walvis Bay Salt Holdings (WBSH), they are the leading producers of solar sea salt in sub-Saharan Africa, processing 93 million cubic meters of saltwater annually to yield over 900,000 tons of high-quality salt, referred to as white gold (www.unitrans.africa). This positions Namibia as one of the largest exporters of salt in Africa, with Western European and North American countries benefiting significantly from these substantial production levels.

Walvis Bay is also a habitat for various vibrant and colourful birds, particularly the strikingly long-legged Flamingos, hashtag teamlonglegs. Personally, I affectionately consider them my tribe due to their long necks and legs, which bear a resemblance to mine. Interestingly, my childhood nickname was Flamingo, and though I used to be upset when kids called me that, I now embrace my 6ft height.

Omaheke region

Located in the eastern part of Namibia, this region is inhabited by the Ovaherero and San People tribes. This region is abundantly scattered with a variety of cattle’s, goats, and sheep’s, as the Herero tribes predominantly engage in farming. Notably, “the livestock population of Namibia is about 2.5 million cattle, 2.4 million sheep, and 1.8 million goats, with approximately 80% of Namibia’s beef and mutton exported to South Africa and the European Union” (www.namibiahc.org.uk). Moreover, the landscape is lush with nutritious grasslands for the herds to graze, and the sturdy trees yield high-quality hardwood used for fireplaces.

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I express my solidarity against this despicable crime and this inhumane, senseless act of racism must never be repeated again. Racism is a tangible reality that exists in schools, workplaces, police departments, courts, and various societal institutions. It is crucial for white individuals to recognise and take responsibility for systemic racial discrimination in the USA, UK, and beyond. White supremacy has no place in our world and stands as a significant stain on human history. According to Ann Wojcicki, a genetics researcher at 23andMe, ‘we are more similar than different, sharing 99% of our DNA, regardless of melanin levels’ (https://www.23andme.com/). Therefore, those with less melanin, commonly identified as white people, must acknowledge their privilege and use it to support black people in the ongoing fight against racism.

Apartheid and slavery serve as historical lessons from which we must learn, and those who preceded us were executed and unjustly imprisoned in the fight for our human rights. For instance, individuals such as Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela faced unjust imprisonment for their courageous stand against racial injustice. I firmly support Martin Luther King’s famous quote: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” No individual should face differential treatment based on their skin colour. It is time to put an end to institutional racism and reform the justice system that was historically designed to oppress black people. I am referring to the racially biased policies and practices deeply ingrained in societal institutions.

Regrettably, these incidents are not new; numerous others have lost their loved ones in the same manner. However, what distinguishes the current situation is the recording and sharing of these incidents and crimes against the Black community on social media. The digital platforms are powerful tool in combating injustice and enable our voices to be heard beyond borders. Organizations such as Black Lives Matter advocate for sustainable solutions, affirming the value of Black lives. The enduring suffering from racial discrimination can no longer be ignored, threatening justice and peace globally.

In the words of Michelle Obama: ” It’s up to all of us: Black, white, everyone, no matter how well meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out”. We must stand together as a human race with collective effort to educate each other, support each other and eradicate racism forever. Only than can we live together in harmony and peace. Let us get involve in politics and vote for the change we want to see in our societies. Today, we must not accept living in a reality marked by modern slavery and institutional racism. Let us learn from our younger generation, the children and see all as equal. We all know that racism is taught. Let us love one another as equal belonging to this big family — Humanity.

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Returning to my childhood narrative, the unfortunate truth was that Barbie dolls, Disney films, superheroes, and images of models or ordinary people endorsing various brands on television or in magazines did not depict individuals like me. Even the middle pages from magazines that I used to paste in my room did not feature people of colour. If a child never encounters someone resembling them in the media or on their toys, portrayed as beautiful, smart, or talented, how are they supposed to cultivate a healthy sense of self? My contention is that most children grow up with exposure to television, modelling, glossy magazines, deriving significant confidence from these sources. It is essential for all of us to see ourselves represented in magazines, television and in the mainstream media, .

It is crucial to acknowledge that representation fosters unity in society. The absence of representation establishes an unconscious divide, leading to superiority and segregation in society. For instance, a racially charged hashtag, #NotMyAriel, trended on Twitter, when Halle Bailey made history as the first Black actress to portray Ariel in The Little Mermaid. However, parents capturing the reactions of young Black children, who were astonished and overjoyed by this new Ariel, overshadowed the hate from cyberbullying. On a positive note, Barbie has embraced this change, featuring over 200 careers and counting, continuously inspiring the limitless potential in every little girl. They celebrate heroes like Katherine Johnson, a pioneer in math and science, who broke barriers by making critical calculations for the success of sending astronauts to the moon. Disney and various other branches of media are beginning to embrace diversity.

I am incredibly proud of women of colour such as Adwoa Aboah, Yara Shahidi, and Gabby Douglas for leveraging their platforms to impact the upcoming generation of women. They are demonstrating that girls can aspire to be anything they want, inspiring limitless potential and working to bridge the Dream Gap. Congratulations to Malenga Mulendema from Zambia for creating the first African children’s animated show for both TV and the movie streaming service Netflix. Titled “Mama K’s Team 4,” the show depicts the adventures of an all-girl spy team and is produced by Triggerfish Animation Studios in South Africa. This groundbreaking production provides a unique opportunity for a new generation of African children to witness characters they can relate to, portraying powerful and aspirational role models on-screen.

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This season’s event unfolded as a star-studded fashion spectacle. Izabel Goulart, a former Victoria’s Secret model, kicked off the show, and the other models showcased dazzling knit gowns, jumpsuits, and swimwear adorned with sparkling sequins and knit mesh. The essence of this new collection is to commemorate womanhood, embracing diversity, and celebrating a variety of body shapes and sizes.

The British Fashion Council has been promoting awareness of Positive Fashion. Julien Macdonald is dedicated to sustainable fashion practices, incorporating organic fabrics and maintaining environmental consciousness. He also want a better representation of diverse woman on the Catwalk.

The British Fashion Council (BFC), recognises that the fashion industry engages consumers daily. Therefore, through the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF), their aim is to create an industry blueprint by bringing together expertise from different areas to help brands with a platform designed to celebrate industry best practice and encourage future business decisions to create positive change.

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The fashion show event for this season took place at the Palm Court in The Waldorf Hilton Hotel. I had the honour of being invited as a front-row guest, and it proved to be an extraordinary display featuring vibrant colours. The new collection emanates a blend of vibrancy, sophistication, effortless femininity, and elegance. The models showcased trendy curls styled by Sharon Tate, presenting a 60s-inspired look that was nothing short of fabulous. Complemented by unique, oversized gold bangles and pearl jewellery from Pebble London, along with powerful and colourful footwear, the entire ensemble was captivating. Personally, I found the shoes particularly delightful.

In conclusion, the experience served as a reminder to “keep heels, head, and standards high,” echoing the timeless words of the late and great Coco Chanel.

For the grand finale, visit my https://www.instagram.com/victoriakafifi/ for exclusive videos providing an inside look at the highlights of this fantastic event.

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