Founder Of The Everyday Sexism Project Makes Her Third Visit To Bablake

Last week, we were delighted to welcome acclaimed journalist and author Laura Bates (also founder of The Everyday Sexism Project) back to Bablake for her third Enrichment talk to our U6th, some of whom had met her when she attended a GCSE class two years ago while researching her award-winning book 'Everyday Sexism'.

As always, Laura's eloquence, conviction and overwhelming courage in standing up against prejudice worldwide provided a fine role model for our U6th pupils to emulate as they approach the end of their time at Bablake and look to establish a new path at university or in employment. 

Laura, who has spoken at the United Nations and is a regular contributor to The Guardian, explained how her own experiences as an actress and young journalist had led to the establishment of The Everyday Sexism Project in the UK and 18 other countries worldwide.

Her talk questioned the imbalance of female involvement in leadership or leading roles in law, the media, the arts, STEM and politics. She examined the effect the national media and advertising have on maintaining ingrained sexism and delivered a powerful argument for questioning prejudice. The case she made for everyone who believes in equality to describe him or herself as a feminist was also very convincing.

Mr Mark Woodward (Head of Careers) endorsed Laura's reasoning: 'I am perfectly at ease describing myself as a feminist and would like to think all our pupils would also happily highlight any gender inequality and question prejudice whenever they encounter it. Laura explained powerfully how feminism is not misandry and I am confident any misconceptions held by the audience beforehand were allayed by her rhetoric.'

Our U6th pupils, many of whom stayed after the talk to ask Laura further questions and express their gratitude for her talk, listened eagerly to her presentation, were astounded at the appalling aggression she has faced from the public (especially via social media) and were impressed with her balanced and powerful reasoning.

The formal question and answer session was both informative and enlightening as the audience asked questions about university culture, the role of a mother in society, stereotypes and much more. Laura also offered pertinent advice on how to counter street harassment and nuisance behaviour on public transport, praising the authorities for their positive action to counter this criminal activity.

Earlier in the day, former pupil Rachel Claringbull, now studying Politics at the University of Sheffield, had attended a 'working lunch' forum of L6th pupils where those present were able to discuss the problems of sexism faced by young pupils both in school and beyond. Mr Woodward added: 'I was really pleased to hear that Rachel has been elected Chair of the Women's Committee at her university and very much appreciated her kind offer of support with our pupils' attempts to eradicate sexism from their daily lives.'

Rachel Claringbull said: 'It was reassuring to know that these issues are being raised at Bablake and I was so pleased to see such a determined group of girls who want to make a difference in the school- it gives me a lot of hope!'