Xiaohongshu
This Women's History Month, your Women's Officer, Devi Sankhla, reflects on her experience so far.
March is Women’s History Month- a time to celebrate our achievements and come together as a community. This March, I’d like to spotlight some of what the Women’s Network has been doing, and talk to you about my experience as your Women’s Officer.
First, thank you to all the students who’ve poured their time, effort and passion into creating a more equitable and supportive environment at UCL and beyond. I’ve met people from different countries, degrees and backgrounds- all brought together by a shared commitment to pushing for real change. Let's keep showing up, breaking barriers, and building something better, together.
One of the highlights of my year has been the Sip and Paint events we held for the Liberation Gallery. We watched students create their paintings live and encouraged those who were hesitant to submit their work. Seeing those same people show up to the gallery to watch their piece being hung and admired by the wider student body was a truly special moment that reminded me why spaces like this matter so much.
I'm also proud of our 16 Days of Activism campaign, which included a night walk to reclaim public space and raise awareness of women's safety. Alongside this, I’ve continued working on Project Period to increase the availability of free menstrual products in gender-neutral locations across campus. Earlier this year we successfully passed a policy to better support students experiencing period pain and uterine-related issues, which particularly affects students from minority backgrounds. And this is only the beginning- we have a host of events planned for Women's History Month, and we want to hear your ideas for change.
The skills I've developed are more varied than I ever anticipated. One week I'm sourcing supplies and managing a budget; the next I'm reaching out to speakers on LinkedIn or coordinating across different societies and teams. I've learned to be resourceful- to prioritise what's feasible, delegate effectively, and make the most of what's available. For instance, we found making enough baked goods as a committee for a bake sale became quite difficult. So we reached out to the student community and received enough homemade goods to raise over £100 for a trans rights charity! Things can (and do) go wrong at the last minute, but a group of people are depending on you- so adaptability and making things work is key.
Women's History Month Events to get involved with
There's so much going on this month to celebrate Women's History Month. Join us for:
With plenty more to come - watch this space.
If you're thinking about running for Women's Officer- or any leadership role- my biggest piece of advice is: don't be afraid to put yourself out there. This time last year, I was terrified of nominating myself for the Leadership Race. The idea of campaigning, speaking to so many students, and advertising myself felt impossible. But it's only when we take that leap that we can learn and grow. The skills you’ll learn and the difference you’ll see yourself making to your university community are absolutely worth it.
Nominations may have now closed, but voting in the Leadership Race will be opening soon. I’m so excited to see the amazing candidates who’ve stepped forward and the ideas they’re bringing to our campus. Make sure to check them out when they're announced (Monday 9 March), and get ready to vote (Vote Week runs from Monday 16 March to Friday 20 March).
This year has been transformational, and I'm so excited to keep working with you to build a better campus and a brighter future.