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Suffragettes100: Watch Stratford schoolgirls talk about feminism today
School 21 pupils spoke to the Recorder about what feminism means to them and whether they think it is important today. Picture: Tom Horton - Credit: Tom Horton
A group of Stratford schoolgirls have spoken to the Recorder about what feminism means to them and outlined why they think it is still a cause worth fighting for.
The Year Nine pupils from the ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rated School 21 unanimously agreed that despite it being 100 years since the first women won the right to vote, feminism remains a cause worth championing today.
The pupils were asked to explain what feminism meant to them and whether they thought it was still important today, as we celebrate the centenary of women’s suffrage.
“All of us girls are trying to fight to have equal rights to men so both genders are equal,” said Zainab Kabir.
There was also unanimous agreement that what feminism means is men and women having equal rights and opportunities. Some pupils added that it is much misunderstood term.
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“I think, like everybody, for me feminism means there are equal rights between men and women,” said Ava Lang.
“But I think there is a big misconception,” she added. When people say feminism people think of it as a negative thing and think they hate men of they want to be more powerful than them, but actually we just want to have the same rights.”
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Pupils argued that differential treatment based on gender should not be tolerated.
“Females are not treated like men and I do not think that should be allowed,” added Miriam McQueen.
“There isn’t huge differences between men and women except for maybe in terms of biology and I don’t think this should determine their rights and the way we are treated,” said Marika Rydel.
Zarah Ahmed argued that while progress has been made, gender equality is yet to be achieved and more must be done.
“Even though things have changed a lot over time, I think there is still a lot of discrimination and stereotypes, such as with gendered language and jobs,” she said.
“I believe that we can get through it together.”
“We all want to be treated equally no matter what race, gender, background or religion we are,” said Mariam Saleh.
