It’s crucial that girls see themselves represented in the past, as history has often overlooked the contributions of women, believes Shalina Patel, a historian, teacher and writer.
With over 15 years of teaching experience, the Head of Teaching and Learning at Claremont High School Academy has witnessed the impact of underrepresentation on her students. This is why she prioritises bringing women’s stories into her lessons. “Representation matters. As the saying goes, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’—and that inspiration can make all the difference,” she said.
She also reinforces the importance of mentorship and positive role models. “In my work, I make it a point to share a positive news story with the whole school every week, usually celebrating a remarkable woman who has achieved something significant.”
According to Shalina, women’s stories are often missing from history for two reasons. First, some women were deliberately erased and the second issue is a lack of access to education. Many women throughout history couldn’t write diaries, letters, or firsthand accounts, meaning their voices are absent from archives. She said, “This silencing and exclusion have shaped the history we learn today. We often talk about the history of men simply because women weren’t given the opportunity to document their own experiences.
“It’s all connected—women were denied education, political power, and even the right to vote until relatively recently. Their experiences were not seen as valuable or important, and that’s why it’s so crucial to reclaim these stories now.”
With the example of Noor Jahan, she explains—the empress wielded immense power during her time, yet after her death, male scholars and historians in the Mughal court actively suppressed her legacy. They didn’t want future generations to know the extent of her influence.
How can we “accelerate action” towards gender equality? For Shalina, it’s through shifting the mainstream understanding of women’s contributions. This means greater representation in major spaces—TV, film, theatre, and beyond. Seeing these stories celebrated on large platforms can make a huge difference.
Similarly, in education, many assume schools are already teaching diverse histories, but that’s not the case. She explains this further stating, “I always encourage people to ask the young people in their families: ‘What are you learning?’ If the only time women appear in history lessons is during the suffragette movement, that’s a serious issue. Women existed before they got the vote, and their contributions deserve recognition.
“To accelerate action, we must demand it. Our voices need to be loud.”
As an educator, she believes one of the most crucial policy changes needed to achieve gender equity in education is providing schools with the necessary support to address incel culture. While much of the conversation has focused on empowering girls, the risks facing young boys have not been fully addressed.
“Many boys are being exposed to deeply misogynistic influences online, and schools need structured support to combat this issue,” she explained. “This requires action at the policy level.”
The biggest challenge, she noted, is regulating the content young boys consume. “If they continue to be exposed to toxic ideologies that portray women as inferior, meaningful change for girls will be impossible. Addressing this issue systemically is the only way forward.
“Ultimately, ensuring safety for girls requires tackling harmful beliefs at their root. If boys grow up believing that women are objects or second-class citizens, progress will be severely limited. Addressing this issue at a systemic level is the only way forward.”
She believes that we need to give girls grace—to make mistakes, to explore, and to dream. Especially in South Asian families, there is still a clear difference in how girls are treated compared to their brothers. “I see this firsthand in schools. Having taught entire families over the years, I often notice the added pressure placed on daughters.”
To help girls reach their potential, parents and teachers must encourage their interests, whether it’s a new hobby, class, or unconventional path. “Many still feel immense pressure from family expectations or cultural norms. South Asian girls, in particular, need the space to grow and be themselves.” she said.
