On International Women's Day today (March 8), Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, has been sharing her thoughts on encouraging women and girls in the workplace.

She said: "I think it's wonderful on International Women's Day when girls and young women can see women in all different sectors across the community and across business.

"I think it's that opportunity to really celebrate women and I think particularly to make women visible in those places where women are a bit more hidden, where we still don't have that high number of women in leadership."

As a female Bishop, Rachel is a trailblazer.

She continued: "When I was growing up, you would never have seen a female Bishop. It wasn't possible.

"One thing that was said to me when I first became a female priest, at a time when it would only just been possible for women to become priests, when I said 'Oh I haven't got any role models, there haven't been women priests', a female priest ahead of me, a very wise person said to me, 'Why do you need a role model? You're called to be who you are'."

Despite this, Rachel believes role models are essential for girls and young women entering the workplace.

She said: "I'm always aware of avoiding generalisations, but one thing is true of many women is that they need to be encouraged to see their gifts and skills. So in my own story, I would never have applied for a number of the roles that I have taken if it hadn't been for having people around me who really encouraged me and pushed me.

"I've needed the encouragement for people to say 'Go on, have a go, you've got those gifts and skills and you can learn these other things'. I think often girls and women need people around them to encourage them to go for those things."

Rachel also reflected on the international nature of International Women's Day and the opportunities women have in the UK, which aren't available in other countries.

She concluded: "I'm very aware here that, as a Bishop and as a female leader, I have that great privilege. But in many countries, particularly I think of Afghanistan and Iran, girls and women simply don't have those opportunities to use their gifts and skills.

"So I want to say to girls and women in this country, where we do have those opportunities and choices, dare to step forward dare to discover who you are!"