Tag: Writing

What does the Suffrage Movement mean to you; your family; your whānau; your identity?

 The suffragettes endure as an icon for women everywhere– they were fearless, passionate and dared to imagine a future where women were the equals of men.

Their courage to challenge the expedient serves as a timely reminder of how the advancement of feminism is still radically unfinished. This ongoing fight for equality is made all the more relevant today, and encourages us to celebrate the fact that we have a young female figure not just in New Zealand’s political scene but leading the government.

This reflects how this iconic campaign, which emancipated an entire class of society, continues to resonate with young women– and I am no exception. It forms an undeniably fundamental component of our identity, and this milestone perhaps serves as a timely reminder that it must not be taken for granted.

We must continue to celebrate their victory– and persist in fighting for the values we believe in, like the trailblazing suffragettes who paved the way for us today.

Naomi Ng
Baradene College

To whom it may concern

I am sure that you have grown tired of reading words so I hope to portray the meaning of women’s right in one picture. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, well I hope this picture says everything. My mother was the oldest child in her family but she never got the love and attention that my younger uncles got. This is my younger brother. In the past, there would have been severe differences and bias being made against us. Thanks to the women who fought for equality, I am able to look at my brother with love instead of resentment. The suffrage movement to me, personally means fighting for something that should be your right. It is fighting for equal chance and opportunity, regardless of gender. Like I have stated, I do not wish to bore you with long words, so let my picture do the talking.

Yours Faithfully

Kaushal Prasad

The Suffrage movement means that I’m the latest in a long line of women that were unafraid to say no. They yelled so much that they lost their voices, so that today, I don’t have to yell to have my own voice heard.

One hundred and twenty-five years.

What that means is that we’ve come such a long way, but we have such a long way to go.

 

The Gratitude:

When I turn eighteen, I can vote.

Hell, I can even vote for another female .

I can run a country and be a mother.

I can marry the love of my life without my father’s permission, and I won’t be their property, I’ll be their equal.

 

The Gripe:

“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

There are women in the world who won’t turn eighteen.

The Handmaid’s Tale is still relevant.

Your body? Not your choice in 134 countries.

I can ‘ask for it’ without opening my mouth.

I’m only worth 90.8% what a man is worth, per hour.            In 2018.

Sure, I can leave the house, but I’m still leaving the house to march, god dammit.

Hannah Sieberhagen
Northcote College