Production and Post-Production

The faint chime of an alarm echoed through the quiet morning air as sunlight crept through the half-drawn curtains of Anna’s apartment. She stirred lazily, her body wrapped in a cocoon of soft blankets. The faint hum of city life filtered in—a distant siren, the murmur of traffic, and the laughter of children on their way to school. She swung her legs off the bed, feeling the plush rug beneath her feet. A quick stretch, a yawn, and she shuffled to the kitchen, where the scent of freshly ground coffee beans greeted her. Outside, the world of convenience waited: running water, stocked supermarket shelves, and a reliable train to whisk her to work.

Amina’s day began not with the soft insistence of an alarm but with the sharp cries of a rooster and the shuffle of feet outside her home. The sun had barely risen, casting an orange hue over the parched earth. She stepped out into the dry, cracking landscape, her feet bare against the dirt. The village well beckoned in the distance, a line already forming as women balanced empty jugs on their hips. Each step was a reminder of the fragility of her world—a place where water was scarce and survival was the only constant. But she did not let the burden crush her; she held herself tall, exchanged greetings with the women around her, and adjusted the scarf covering her braided hair.

Two women. Two worlds. Divided by privilege, yet unknowingly tethered by the sky above.

Anna’s morning unfolded predictably. A warm shower, the sweet aroma of toast and marmalade, and the reassuring beep of her phone as emails began to trickle in. She drove through orderly streets, her air-conditioned car providing refuge from the mild heat outside. Her biggest concern? Finding the perfect outfit for a client meeting—a balance of authority and approachability. Yet, something gnawed at her—an unease she couldn’t quite name, a feeling of detachment as she scrolled past another news notification on her phone.

Amina’s day was a series of obstacles. She carried water home, her shoulders aching under the weight of the jug. Her children’s laughter was fleeting, often interrupted by the stern voice of reality. Cooking was a delicate balance of rationing and improvisation—every grain of rice accounted for, every scrap of food cherished. But she was not merely surviving. She taught her eldest daughter how to make flatbread from memory, passed down from her mother. She laughed when the girl, covered in flour, tried to shape the dough into a heart. She was more than struggle; she was resilience, she was love, she was life continuing despite everything.

Societal expectations loomed large for both women—Anna juggled her ambitions with societal pressures to maintain work-life balance, while Amina’s world offered no such balance. She was mother, protector, provider. The weight was relentless, but she did not bend.

Then, the news broke.

Anna sat at her desk, frozen. The screen blared headlines of a devastating earthquake in a region she had barely thought of before. Hundreds dead. Thousands displaced. Among the images, a photograph of a woman standing knee-deep in floodwater, clutching two children. The caption read: 'Somalian mother fights to save her children in aftermath of disaster.' Something inside her shifted.

She refreshed the page, consumed article after article, feeling a growing sense of urgency. A petition? A donation? No. Not this time. The world needed more than just another click. But what could she do? Would it even matter? She thought of her privilege, of her comfort, of the space between their worlds. That night, she lay awake, staring at her ceiling, the woman’s face burned into her mind. And she made a decision.

Amina, amidst the wreckage, fought for survival. The earth had turned on them, the wells contaminated, the market reduced to rubble. Aid was slow, too slow. But she would not wait. She gathered the women of her village, took stock of what they had, what they could spare. They worked together, forming a network of support. She made plans, spoke with leaders, found ways to get messages to the outside world. She was no victim waiting for salvation; she was the force that refused to let despair win.

Two weeks later, Anna stepped off a plane, the heat slamming into her as she arrived in a humanitarian aid camp in Somalia. She had used every contact, every resource she had, pulled every string to be here. It wasn’t easy. The process had been tangled in bureaucracy, in doubts and obstacles, but she had pushed through. And now, standing in the middle of the camp, she saw Amina.

They met not as saviour and saved, not as wealthy and poor, but as women. As equals. Their hands clasped, and in that moment, the distance between their worlds disappeared.

Across the world, women’s experiences are shaped by cultural, social, and political factors that determine their rights, freedoms, and opportunities. While progress has been made in many areas, gender inequality remains deeply entrenched, affecting women in both developed and developing countries. From workplace discrimination in the West to severe restrictions on basic freedoms in other parts of the world, the fight for women’s rights is far from over. Women everywhere face challenges, though the severity varies depending on location and societal norms. In Western nations, women continue to battle issues such as wage gaps, workplace harassment, and underrepresentation in leadership roles. A report by the World Economic Forum (2023) found that at the current rate of progress, it will take over 130 years to close the global gender gap. This highlights how even in countries where legal protections exist, social and structural barriers persist.

In contrast, women in many developing countries face much harsher realities. In some regions, girls are still denied access to education due to cultural beliefs or economic hardships. The United Nations reports that 129 million girls worldwide are out of school, limiting their future opportunities and reinforcing cycles of poverty. Additionally, gender-based violence remains a widespread crisis. According to UN Women, one in three women globally experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with many cases going unreported due to stigma and fear. The situation is particularly dire in conflict zones and under oppressive regimes. In Iran, for example, women have been at the forefront of protests against mandatory hijab laws and state repression, risking their lives for the right to personal freedom. Similarly, in parts of Africa and the Middle East, child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) continue to threaten the lives and autonomy of millions of young girls.

While women in first-world countries enjoy more rights and opportunities than ever before, they still face significant obstacles. The gender pay gap remains a persistent issue—in the UK, women earn on average 14.3% less than men, according to the Office for National Statistics (2023). In the US, the situation is similar, with women earning approximately 82 cents for every dollar a man earns.

Beyond the workplace, women also face systemic barriers in politics and leadership. Despite making up half the population, women still hold less than 30% of parliamentary seats worldwide. In corporate settings, fewer than 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women.

Reproductive rights also continue to be a devastating battleground - in recent years, the rollback of abortion rights in the United States has reignited debates about women’s bodily autonomy. These challenges demonstrate that while progress has been made, gender equality is still far from being achieved, even in the most developed nations.

To further explore how cultural and social factors influence women's experiences, I interviewed my friend Natalia, who was born in Serbia but raised in the UK. Her story offers insight into the complexities of identity and the way cultural expectations can shape a woman's sense of self. Natalia described the challenges of balancing Serbian traditions with British societal norms. At home, she was immersed in Serbian culture—speaking the language, celebrating traditional holidays, and following customs. However, outside her home, she had to adapt to British culture, which sometimes made her feel like she was caught between two worlds.

"I remember feeling self-conscious about bringing Serbian food to school because it wasn’t what other kids were eating," she explained. "And people always had trouble pronouncing my name. Small things like that made me more aware of my cultural differences."

One of the most striking points from our conversation was her struggle with identity—feeling “not Serbian enough” while in the UK and “too British” when visiting Serbia. This is a common experience among many women raised in cultures different from their heritage. Society often pressures individuals to conform, making it difficult to fully embrace both identities. Despite these challenges, Natalia now sees her bicultural upbringing as a strength. "I used to feel like I had to choose between being Serbian or British, but now I realize I don’t have to. I can embrace both." Her experience highlights how cultural expectations can shape a woman’s sense of belonging, self-worth, and confidence.

The struggle for gender equality is not just a women's issue—it affects entire societies. Studies show that when women are given equal opportunities in education, employment, and leadership, economies grow, and communities thrive. Countries with high gender equality tend to have stronger economies, lower crime rates, and better overall well-being. The fight for women’s rights must be a global effort. While progress has been made in many areas, there is still much work to be done. Governments, organizations, and individuals all have a role to play in ensuring that women everywhere have the freedom to pursue education, careers, and personal choices without fear or restriction.

Women’s rights are not a luxury or a privilege—they are a fundamental human necessity. Whether it’s the fight for equal pay in the West, the right to education in developing nations, or the struggle for personal freedom under oppressive regimes, gender inequality remains a pressing issue. Natalia’s experience navigating cultural differences offers a perspective on identity and belonging, but it also highlights the privileges that come with being raised in a country where women have rights. Not all women have the ability to embrace their identities freely—many are still silenced, restricted, and denied opportunities. As individuals, we can contribute to change by advocating for gender equality, amplifying the voices of marginalised women, and supporting policies that empower women worldwide. The fight is far from over, but with continued awareness and action, a more equal world is possible.

Strengths, Weaknesses and Solutions

Strengths

1. One of my biggest strengths was my ability to thoroughly research my topics before writing. Whether it was analyzing feature articles, studying short stories, or conducting interviews, I ensured that my work was well-informed and structured. I used planning tools like plot structures and article planners, which helped me develop a clear outline before writing. This ensured that both my feature article and short story had strong direction and purpose.

2. I found that I was able to create emotionally compelling narratives in both mediums, particularly in my short story. By using vivid descriptions and character-driven storytelling, I was able to connect with readers on a deeper level. I focused on "show, don’t tell" techniques and experimented with how small details could reveal bigger themes, making my writing feel more immersive.

3. Conducting an interview with my friend Natalia helped me bring authenticity to my feature article. It provided a real-world perspective on cultural differences, making my article more relatable and engaging. I learned the importance of using personal stories and direct quotes to enhance factual writing, making it more impactful.

Weaknesses

1. One challenge I faced was ensuring that my feature article remained factual while still being engaging. At first, I found that the article read too much like an essay, which my tutor pointed out and said it made it less engaging. My solution to this was to revise my drafts to focus more on human interest towards the beginning of the article in order to immediately grab the attention of the readers, ensuring my article was both informative and emotionally compelling.

2. While I developed an interesting storyline, I realized that my character’s internal motivations and emotions weren’t always fully developed within the actual text. To combat this, I focused on weaving character desires and conflicts naturally into the narrative, rather than only defining them in my planning notes. I also reworked certain sections to include more internal monologue and small actions that revealed deeper emotions.

3. One of my biggest challenges was managing my time effectively, especially balancing research, writing, and editing within deadlines. At times, I found myself spending too long on certain sections, which affected my ability to refine later drafts. My solution to this was to make a structured timetable, breaking my work into smaller tasks with clear deadlines. I also set aside specific time slots for each stage of the process, ensuring that I had enough time to edit and improve my final drafts.

Future Edits

Reflecting on my project, there are several future edits I would make to improve both my short story and feature article. While I am pleased with the overall structure and themes, I recognise areas that could be refined to enhance clarity, engagement, and impact.

•  Strengthening Character Depth in My Short Story

One key edit I would make is ensuring my character’s internal thoughts, desires, and conflicts are more naturally integrated into the narrative. While I developed a strong storyline, I sometimes focused more on the external plot rather than fully exploring the character’s emotions. To improve this, I would revise certain scenes to include subtler moments of introspection, allowing the reader to connect more deeply with the protagonist’s personal struggles.

• Enhancing Pacing and Story Flow

For my short story, I would refine the pacing, particularly in the beginning and climax. While I worked to build tension effectively, I think I could adjust the momentum to make certain emotional beats feel even more powerful. I would also focus on smoother transitions between scenes, ensuring that the story flows naturally without feeling rushed or slow in certain areas.

• More Thorough Self-Editing and Proofreading

Although I revised my work multiple times, I would dedicate more time in the future to self-editing and proofreading. Reading my work aloud or getting feedback from peers earlier in the process would help catch minor errors or awkward phrasing that I may have overlooked.