Edel Coffey: The She Can Do campaign aims to prove that anything is possible

Having failed a lot, I think failure is a really useful experience. With each failure, my fear of failing diminishes a tiny bit because I realise that I’m still here

As International Women’s Day 2022 approaches, it feels appropriate to mention the achievements of Dr Karen Weekes, who last week became the first Irishwoman to row solo across the Atlantic. She spent 80 days alone at sea and had to face all sorts of challenges during that time, including diving under her boat to repair it in difficult conditions. Her challenge to row across the Atlantic was part of the ‘She Can Do’ campaign, which aims to encourage women and girls to push themselves outside of their comfort zones and to believe in their abilities to succeed in their own lives and work.

What a brilliant message to try to instil in women. It got me thinking about my own comfort zones and how often I’ve often lingered in them for far too long.