“They want to see you do good but never better than them. Remember that.”

It’s not the most empowering of quotes but it came to mind when I thought about International Women’s Day. The world may be fighting for female equality, but it’s important to acknowledge the societal pitfalls that hinders real progress – and the fact that women may be at fault.

It was Tuesday. Day four of Ramadan, day two of my period. My pelvic pain was unbearable and I was about to both cry because of the podcast I was listening to and shout at this guy whose rucksack kept touching me.

Commute aside, indoors with no one invading my personal space, I was asked how I’d been finding fasting.

“Oh I’m not fasting this week,” I said hesitantly, knowing what was about to happen.

Tragedies like 9/11, the refugee crisis and the recent attacks in London brought people together. However, I found myself wondering why the Yezidi crisis hadn’t generated the same reaction.

Photojournalist Benjamin Eagle, captured the portraits featured in the exhibition at the Lacey Contemporary Gallery. Alongside them were the stories of each individual woman.

I couldn’t think of a better theme for this year’s International Women’s Day. #BeBoldForChange. Talking about gender parity last year was a good way to get the conversation going and educating ourselves about the current landscape women face within the workplace, however 2017 is all about action and there’s plenty we all can do.

According to the World Economic Forum, it would take roughly 117 years for gender parity, which is absolutely ludicrous. However the vastness of the #BeBoldForChange theme allows us to take steps and actions that will have a big impact for women.

There are a number of ways to get involved today and beyond according to the official website.

Have you ever been offended by a woman and her decision to cover her skin?

No? Me neither, but try telling that to French officials.

Brunch is probably my favourite meal, which I think we should all take more time to appreciate and indulge in. What’s even better in my opinion is when you come across a brunch menu that isn’t filled with the typical dishes that are synonymous with this trendy past time. Smashed avocado on toast is great but let’s be real, we’ve all mastered this to perfection.

It’s always difficult to put pen to paper – or fingertips to keyboard in my case – when it comes to a subject that matters to so many, that you care about yourself, but feel as though you need to properly represent when writing about it.

I’ve probably bitten off more than I can chew when it comes to discussing the Black Lives Matter movement. I don’t have an African American background, but I am a woman of colour and every time I read about another shooting, another life lost, it not only infuriates me, it makes me lose another little shred of hope for humanity and justice.

As I sit here writing this blog, I’m looking out into the heart of Southgate. I can see a group of Polish men discussing the football, an Indonesian couple excited to catch up with their friends – a family of Indian descent. Behind me the barista, a lovely English lady, is happily chatting to a customer who happens to be West Indian.

This is the kind of London I’ve known growing up; a melting pot of people, cultures and tolerance. In my naivety, I thought this kind of integration extended far beyond our capital.

For the first time, the European Grand Prix was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Known as the ‘Land of Fire’, I was excited for the world to be introduced to a city that’s steeped in history and culture. A city where the East and West fuse together seamlessly.

With a new circuit to contend with, which pushed drivers, the European GP sure tested my patience as I’m sure it did with the drivers. A lot of work has gone into this particular circuit with Ricciardo telling Sky Sports F1 ahead of the race that “The track feels as tight as it looks.”

A few weeks ago I was on the Sunny and Shay Show on BBC Radio London discussing whether or not the South Asian community still held the attitude of son preference.

Growing up, I’ve always been aware that boys usually had more freedom than girls but never have I ever heard my parents or family members mutter that they wished I was born a boy. The discussion with Sunny and Shay really opened my eyes up to seriously damaging attitudes the South Asian community has when it comes to gender.