Kimberly Wyatt: We need to help girls stop being so narcissistic

Kimberly Wyatt, former Pussycat Doll, singer, dancer and television personality blogs exclusively on The Huffington Post UK today on how dance has given her the confidence to be the best person she can be, building confidence in women through sport and addressing a drop in teenage girls participating in sport, on International Women's Day.

Kimberly Wyatt said "Women have achieved so much over the years and International Women's Day is an incredibly important day to reflect on where we find ourselves; to celebrate as well as look forward at how men and women can all make more of a difference."

We are in the middle of an evolution which makes the work of women even more important in influencing, inspiring and leading by example in our bid to close the gender gap.

"For me, an essential tool in bringing about these changes is physical activity. Sport and physical activity - dance in particular - has given me the confidence to be the best person I can be and I know it helps girls, in particular, to aim high and learn about themselves."

"It's sad that research has shown that there is a drop in teenage girls doing sport, even because they don't want to get sweaty, as it's a huge detriment to their health.

"It all seems to stem from living in a 'selfie generation' and we need to help girls, in particular, to stop being so narcissistic and representing a version of who they are online which is often far from the reality of who they are inside and how they really feel."

"A great way to do this is through sport and physical activity as it really helps you to get in touch with who you are and gain confidence enough to believe in yourself."

"We know that being physically active is important for the overall health and wellbeing of all young people. For girls this is especially true as we know the very things that prevent girls from getting involved - lack of confidence, low skill levels and poor body image - are the same things that can be improved by being physically active."

"I really believe that being active can go a long way in helping to achieve parity for women and men, particularly in how it can help our children to find ways to beat anxiety and depression as well as building essential life skills, such as team-building and communicating, which will help prepare them for life as an adult when pressures only get tougher."

"This is what I hope to support and campaign for in my role as ambassador for the Youth Sport Trust, an independent charity which is devoted to changing young people's lives through sport."