This year’s theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is “Choose to Challenge,” and someone who definitely rises up to the challenge is Ana R. A mother of two plus two fur babies, the model and actress is also the co-founder of talent management agency Model One and playdate app, Playdays. 

So, what does International Women’s Day mean to Ana?

“I believe gender is part of our sense of self-definition”, she says. “In the 20th century, women are still facing different challenges in the society, at work and at home. Embracing the equality of gender is enormously freeing. International Women’s Day allows us to reconcile the equality of the fundamental sets of human needs.” Find out how Ana R supports International Women’s Day in her own unique way below:

Volunteer

Despite her busy schedule, Ana always finds ways to give back. An active volunteer, one of the organisations she works with is Women Helping Women Hong Kong, which provides educational programmes to those who’ve experienced violence and abuse in Hong Kong. 

Choose brands that support women

She also chooses to support brands that empower women, such as Dyson, which continues to innovate with its line of hair and home gadgets. Ana credits the Dyson V11 Absolute Extra for helping her save time on her cleaning routine, which gives her more time for getting other work done.

Raise awareness

Other ways to support women this International Women’s Day include dining at women-led restaurants, such as Little Bao and Tate, and raising awareness of International Women’s Day by sharing inspirational tips and videos about women – such as this TED Talk on the untapped power of girls around the world by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee:

This #InternationalWomensDay, let’s all #ChoosetoChallenge the norms of society and speak up against gender equality to support women.

To learn more about International Women’s Day, visit internationalwomensday.com.

See also: Get to know Chloé Zhao, the first Asian woman to win a Golden Globe