Alice Dearing is one of Great Britain's top female marathon swimmers, having represented Great Britain at three World Championships. Here she says what today's International Women's Day means to her...

'I’ve been involved in competitive swimming since I was eight-years-old and it is only in the past few years I have realised the potential impact being a woman in sport can have on young girls who could potentially look up to me.

I often think of my younger, smaller self watching the European, World, Commonwealth Championships and Olympics on the TV and marvelling at the skill displayed by both the men and women in the pool. 

As a swimmer I’m very lucky that the prize money that men and women receive is the same and there is also no disparity in the coverage which we receive when we compete for our country. 

However, as I’ve learnt over the past year, this is not the same for all sports. Happily floating along in the swimming bubble it was a wake-up to see and hear the pay gap in prize money for other sports amongst men and women.

Global events like Women’s International Day give opportunity to showcase women at the top of their game, whether it's in sport. 

However, whilst these women should be rightly supported we cannot overlook the everyday woman who also deserves to be celebrated. I feel that the day should be used as a reflection for the equality we have now achieved and for the potential extra miles we have to go.

Getting the opportunity to voice my thoughts of WID has caused me to think of the women who do not get to voice their thoughts and feelings – slavery, child marriage, FGM, human trafficking…  these issues still plague the lives of millions women worldwide. 

Voices like Malala Yousafzai are crucial when understanding their experiences and how we can help end such atrocities.

However, as an athlete and a woman of minority, I hope that my voice can be used in a powerful way to inspire girls and women alike, as it is never too late to learn a new skill or venture out of your comfort zone.