As the controversial American psychologist Timothy LearyAn American psychologist and author known for his strong advocacy of psychedelic drugs. once said: "Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition."

Women are forming their own frontiers of knowledge, justice and achievement and they have been at the forefront in 2024.

1.Bisan Owda. She posts videos on Instagram, but Bisan Owda is no typical influencer. Her videos document her daily life as a Palestinian journalist in Gaza.

With five million followers, Owda has been praised for being the human face of what Amnesty International has described as a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel.¹

2.Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke. As New Zealand's most prominent Gen Z parliamentarian, you would expect Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke to have mastered the viral moment.

But Maipi-Clarke stunned the world earlier this year when she performed a traditional ceremonial dance in parliament.

Maipi-Clarke began the dance, known as a haka, after being asked whether her party supported a controversial bill which many thought was a step towards dismantling Maori rights.²

3.Mahrang Baloch. Dr Mahrang Baloch was only 16 when her father was abductedTaken by force, or kidnapped. by security forces for the first time. Two years later, he was taken again, tortured, and found dead.

Since then, Mahrang has been protesting against the abduction, torture and murder of men in Balochistan, a province of Pakistan.

4.Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. Sometimes called the most inspiring queer woman in the world, Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera is a Ugandan activist who has fought for the rights of LGBT people for more than two decades.

5.Gisele PelicotA French woman whose husband has admitted to drugging her and inviting dozens of men to abuse her without her knowledge. She has waived her right to anonymity. . Outside the courthouse in Avignon, women travel day after day to bring flowers for Gisele Pelicot, the French woman at the centre of a mass rape trial that has shocked the world.

Gisele Pelicot hit headlines earlier this year after insisting on a public trial for the 51 men accused of raping her after she had been tranquilisedGiven a drug that causes calm or sleep. by her husband.

Pelicot said she wanted to raise awareness of chemical submission, and to show that "shame must change sides" in cases of sexual violence.³

Do we all need role models?

Yes: Achieving great things or bettering the world is not limited to one single group. We should all look up to the impressive people who are trying to create a better society.

No: Some people need role models more than others. People who have been marginalisedTreating a person, group or idea as if they are unimportant. due to their identity need role models who look and sound like them because it helps to disprove what they have been told about how much they can achieve.

Or... We should not base our designs for our lives on other people's achievements. We do better when we forge our own paths without trying to define ourselves by what others have managed to do. We all have different strengths.

Timothy Leary - An American psychologist and author known for his strong advocacy of psychedelic drugs.

Abducted - Taken by force, or kidnapped.

Gisele Pelicot - A French woman whose husband has admitted to drugging her and inviting dozens of men to abuse her without her knowledge. She has waived her right to anonymity.

Tranquilised - Given a drug that causes calm or sleep.

Marginalised - Treating a person, group or idea as if they are unimportant.