Women’s Equality Day (26 August) and Wear It Purple Day (28 August) at Imagine Re Evolution

Women’s Equality Day and Wear It Purple Day fall close together each year, and when you look at them side by side, they highlight something important. Young people grow when their identity is respected and their confidence is supported. These two days remind us that equality and inclusion are not abstract ideas. They show up in the everyday environments young people move through, including home, school and community spaces like the Imaginarium. 

For young women, equality is about being taken seriously and being encouraged to lead. It is about having their ideas heard and their strengths recognised. For LGBTQIA+ young people, inclusion is about feeling safe, visible and understood. It is about knowing they do not have to hide parts of themselves to fit in. These experiences shape how young people see themselves, and they influence how confident they feel in new situations. 

Confidence grows when identity is acknowledged and valued. When a young person feels comfortable being themselves, they are more willing to try new things, speak up and connect with others. When they feel judged or unsafe, confidence fades. Equality and inclusion create the conditions that allow confidence to develop. 

At the Imaginarium, we see this connection every day. When a young person feels respected, whether they are exploring their identity or simply trying something new, their confidence builds quietly. They relax. They participate. They begin to trust their own judgement. This is the foundation of wellbeing, and it is why our programs focus on creating environments where identity is welcomed rather than questioned. 

Women’s Equality Day and Wear It Purple Day both ask adults to pay attention to the environments we create for young people. Are we giving them space to express themselves? Are we listening without rushing to correct or dismiss? Are we challenging stereotypes when they appear? Are we modelling respect in the small moments that matter? 

Equality and inclusion are not achieved through one large action. They grow through consistent behaviours that tell young people they belong. When belonging is strong, confidence follows. When confidence grows, young people feel more capable of shaping their own future. That is what these days are meant to celebrate!