Everyone probably thinks I am going to write about how Independent, amazing and strong women are. Well. YES and NO. All of our memories of this event go back to the time where we all huddled together on the dirty and dusty school halls during assembly, listening to a never-ending speech given out by the teacher's pet about famous activists, but we all know that it was all copied and pasted from Wikipedia. The thing about International Women's Day is that the concept of having a day dedicated to women. It is wonderful (don't get me wrong, I love the female activists like Malala and Rosa Parks)...

When the lockdown started, I was ecstatic. My final year of school had finished early, exams were cancelled, the sun was shining. I was happy, and confident I would be OK. After all, how hard could staying at home possibly be? After a while, the reality of the situation started to sink in. The novelty of being at home wore off and I started to struggle. I suffered from regular panic attacks, frozen on the floor in my room, unable to move or speak. I had nightmares most nights, and struggled to sleep. It was as if I was stuck, trapped in my house and in my own head. I didn't know how to cope...

In the UK, GCSEs and A level exams have been cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several other countries have also cancelled their exams for the same reason. Many of us didn't expect to be upset over the cancellation of exams; there was a time when that would have been every student’s dream. However at this moment in time, many young people including me, are left uncertain about our next steps which may be connected to our academic achievements. A lot of us have been feeling like we are no longer in control of our future, which can understandably make us anxious. For the most part...

Perhaps symbolically, on Friday the 13th of March I started self-isolating with my sister as we both had symptoms of COVID 19. It was a full 10 days before the UK went into lockdown and whilst we were stuck inside, the world I knew was being ground to a historic halt. Being detached from everyone, even my family, was surreal. The 14 day period we spent in quarantine was exhausting. At the start we didn’t know much, information on the situation was being drip fed via newspaper articles and columns. The guidance was geared towards older people and I was constantly left with more questions than...

People have always seen the surface, The surface of a book, The surface of an object, The surface of a person Pretty or ugly, Brunette or blonde, Black or white As though one’s inner beauty can be seen One’s inner soul “This isn’t me, My colour isn’t who I am” They cry, But no one hears No one listens. Black is strong, Black is bold, Black is the colour of the ashes we will all become. We are one, Under the sun, We are together, For ever and ever And we love each other, We love every single one of us.

Now more than ever, it's vital to discuss mental health openly and without judgment. This year, we have all been affected in some way by the several tragic events that have taken place, from the Australian bushfires to the COVID-19 pandemic. Feelings of grief, anxiety and loneliness have become more frequent for millions of people, and receiving support has become more difficult due to social distancing restrictions. Despite this, mental health is still unbelievably stigmatised and is seen as a taboo topic in many cultures and societies. In order to break this barrier, we must welcome...

A voice is a tool that transports us into the future. A future that has more possibilities and more solutions. A voice is a tool that can be used for standing up for what is right, rather than what is easy. A voice gives your opinions a platform, and gifts you with the opportunity to have perspective and knowledge on things that matter. No two voices are the same, each voice has something different to say. And in a world that needs to represent freedom and democracy, a voice is a powerful symbol of this. It is what has allowed people to protest injustice, to sing for freedom, or simply speak...

‘I want to just take a quick second to ask you, Are you really ok? It’s easy to just brush off the question And continue to go about your day. But I see the tiredness in your eyes. I guess it’s not something you need to say. I wish you would know that I am always here, Before it becomes too late.’ Me…Instagram – (@Words.Of.S) As humans, I guess we have the tendency to keep things to ourselves. However, with these exact thoughts, we unknowingly summon the feelings of loneliness and may eventually see ourselves as a burden to ourselves. Why? Why do we continue to inflict this pain upon ourselves...

I will begin this particular post by saying that I am incredibly excited to be writing this. I must confess that the 8th of March is permanently circled in my calendar, and decorated with quite a lot of exclamation marks. However, I am also going to admit that, up until now, I have often felt as though my views are less welcome as if my voice is one that the world is less inclined to listen to. As someone who studies Politics, History, and Sociology, I was confused to discover that all the great thinkers we were encouraged to study, whose works we were implored to absorb and remember were men...

My name is Arthur and I am a member of the UNICEF UK Youth Advisory Board. This Pride Month I wanted to showcase Wales’s perspective and progress on LGBTQ+ issues and rights. I have had the opportunity to interview a young advocate as well as a Pride Cymru Volunteer to share some of their experiences, thoughts, and views following this year’s Pride Month. Ellis - Member of Welsh Youth Parliament for Cardiff Central What does Pride mean to you? Pride to me is not only an outstanding event that happens in the summer for everyone to celebrate, but also an incredibly important word for me...

Hi. My name is Dev Sharma. I’m 17, I live in Leicester and I am Co-Chair of the Bite Back 2030 National Youth Board. Bite Back is a youth-led movement campaigning to improve child health in the United Kingdom, and transform a food system that is rigged against us. I led BiteBack's campaign to ban junk food advertising online – which was highlighted in the Queen's speech. I started campaigning with BiteBack because I was tired. Tired of profits being put before my generation's health. Young people already face hurdles to just getting a good job, going to university, or climbing the social...