The truth is that the victim cycle is triggered when the relationship breakdown happens because we need to protect ourselves. It is an automatic unconscious response to a painful situation. The pain occurs because of the thinking that comes with the relationship breakdown.

What I do know is for one day, inside the walls of the Hospital Club, I felt listened to, valued and welcomed for who I am. The power of that unity between women is what we need to build upon for a future where everyone can aspire to have their all.

It's wrong that the dominant image of a woman in The Sun is consistently one of a young, bare-breasted model posing in a thong because it sends a powerful message about a woman's position in society: that her primary role is to be sexually attractive to men.

Like many others, I've been curious to read Sheryl Sandberg's 'feminist manifesto' encouraging women and girls to lean in and make a difference.

I got a phone call from my doctor recently, telling me that a recent blood test showed that I was 'post-menopausal'. I didn't quite know how to respond to this news. I didn't feel post-menopausal. My body seemed to be still following somewhat familiar rhythms.

If you are a young girl wearing a hoody you are a thug. If you are a young woman wearing a skirt in an office, you are weak. If you are a woman on a night out wearing a short dress, you are 'asking for it.' If you are considered attractive you are stupid and less capable than your male counterpart. Who decided this? Why is this socially acceptable?

With International Women's Day being celebrated across the world this Friday, I thought I'd reflect on a few lessons I've learnt the past three years, having gone from a work environment that was almost entirely male-dominated to one where men only make for a bit more than 20% of the staff...

Whether we like it or not, certain clothing attracts attention. Women may indeed be signalling that they are interested in sex, but only with the men they choose. The problem is that clothing is not a directional signal - it sends out its messages to all men, who form their views of women accordingly.

Joanna Lumley, sex icon for a generation, has gone in for slut-shaming, and I really don't blame her, for two main reasons: First of all, Lumley, like me, is old enough to remember a time when female empowerment wasn't about wearing as little as possible.

As women, we must bond together to spread the word about the importance of self-esteem to the next generation. We must begin healing the split through admiring the talents and love visible in every woman regardless of her size or color or uniqueness.