On March 1, 2019, at 15 years old, I recorded a speech for International Women’s Day in front of the House of Parliament, speaking to the need for increased female political representation locally, and the importance of having a parliament which is more representative of our population.

Four years later, now at 20 years old, in celebration of International Day of the Girl Child, I still recognise the importance of female representation, both in and outside of Parliament. However, it is potentially limiting to have the inspiration or empowerment of young women rely solely on representation before taking action, especially in our global pursuit for gender equity.

The popular phrase often used when promoting the importance of female representation across multiple spheres worldwide, from media to government to corporate leadership — “If she can’t see it, she can’t be it” — is just as difficult to accept as the outcome of the #GirlDinner trend which, from my perspective, quickly diverged from a light-hearted joke to another avenue of promoting false and unhealthy standards of beauty.

While I recognise that some may use “if she can’t see it, she can’t be it” with the intention to encourage female representation, and to inspire serious action against issues of low female representation, it is equally important to recognise the possibility of a profound negative impact that these words could have in furthering the status quo.

If a young woman is told, in a world where male-dominated spaces still run rampant, that if she cannot see women in such spaces she cannot be in such spaces, it could instil a level of unintended discouragement that has real potential to force her to conform to those fields which are female-dominated — usually administrative roles. Even some of those with the willpower to “be the change they wish to see” are then also forced to battle the confirmation bias that they are bound to feel when they face inevitable challenges or the common impostor syndrome that makes it harder for them to remain in the spaces which they have worked hard to enter.

Importantly, these sentiments are focused on the impact that this phrase has on young women and girls alike. However, it is also crucial to recognise that the phrase does a disservice to those trailblazing women who have broken down countless barriers in their respective journeys.

My disapproval of this phrase is twofold.

First, and this is largely from my public-speaking and debating background, I encourage deeper thought into both the under-the-surface meaning and impact our words can have and our subscription to certain popular phrases.

Second, it is to acknowledge the importance of representation, but also understand how reliance on representation can prevent us from taking action. While I appreciate the Geena Davis Institute’s similar, and more empowering alternative, “if she can see it, she can be it,” I also propose the idea that if she cannot see it, she can still be it.

One of my favourite assertions from Christie Hunter Arscott’s book, Begin Boldly —which I highly recommend! — is that good things do not come to those who wait. Rather, good things come to those who ask.

On this 11th International Day of the Girl Child 2023, I encourage young women to remember that even if right now you cannot see it, with unconditional dedication to your chosen path and a risk-taking mindset, you can still be it.

Stay (Em)Powered!

• McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett is a law exchange student at the University of Hong Kong, founder of the Girl (Em)Power Project and Assistant Director of Future Leaders Bermuda. She is passionate about gender equality