An Inspiring Women China event was recently held at Shanghai North Shangnan Middle School, a public school featured with art and physical education. Ma Xiaohui, a well-known erhu (two-stringed bowed musical instrument) player and first-class traditional artist, attended the event to speak with students.

Inspiring Women was initiated by UK charity organization Education and Employers Taskforce in 2013. The campaign is dedicated to raising the confidence and aspirations of young girls and women and encouraging them to break through stereotypes and barriers to seek more career possibilities.

Based on this, the British Council initiated Inspiring Women China in 2016, aimed to help the younger generations in China better understand career development, broaden their horizons, raise their ambitions and solve gender stereotype via the practices of successful women.

The initiative gained the support of Yang Lan, one of China's most successful female media entrepreneurs, and Barbara Woodward, the British Ambassador to China. It invites inspirational female professionals as volunteers to visit schools and share their stories.

The one held at Shanghai North Shangnan Middle School was one of a series of recent activities.

Ma shared why she chose erhu as her lifelong career and how she uses this Chinese musical instrument to spread Chinese musical culture abroad.

Ma Xiaohui plays erhu at the Inspiring Women China event.

Nothing can stop her

According to Ma, she started to learn the erhu reluctantly when she was only 6 years old. At the age of 10, she was sent to Tanggu of Tianjin for more erhu education. However, the Tangshan earthquake occurred and Tanggu was badly hit as well. She lived in a temporary shelter and lost contact with her parents for three months, during which time she witnessed the miseries brought along by the natural catastrophe.

She started to deeply contemplate her life and future, although she was still just an innocent little girl. When she turned 11, she told her parents that she wanted to become a professional erhu player. She went through various difficulties along her way to becoming a star, but nothing could stop her.

Ma encouraged the students whom she spoke with at the event to overcome their fears from the inside. She said that they should keep a clear mind to find out what they want to do and what kind of person they would like to be. And then be brave, patient, confident and perseverant in the pursuit of their dreams.

"Do your best, prepare for the worst and never ever give up." she said. "If you do find out what you are going to do, life can be beautiful."

Students of Shanghai North Shangnan Middle School

Breaking stereotypes

"The message from Inspiring Women China is that you could do anything with your life," said Matthew Knowles, area director of East China of British Council and Consul at Cultural and Education Section of the British Consulate General in Shanghai.

There are greater numbers of women today who are employed in a wider range of occupations than ever before. However, gender stereotype still exists, which tends to classify males and females with particular career options. It is vital to break stereotypes and misconceptions and inspire youth to understand that there are amazing career options within their reach.

"The question is what you want to do, and the challenge you have is to find within yourself the answers. School is such a special time when you can learn and invest your skills and you have the space to find out who you are," he said.

Wu Lifeng, headmaster of the school, shared the same opinion with Ma and Knowles. She encouraged the students to keep to their dreams no matter what happens in the future. "You will finally find out where your life is going with a determined mind," she concluded.

Ma and Matthew Knowles (second from right) from British Council pose with students and teachers. Photos: Chen Shasha/GT