Abbot’s Hill reflects on recent events

Head, Kathryn Gorman, delivered what she described as a ‘reflection’ in response to the recent death of Sarah Everard.

Mrs Gorman urged pupils to think about the recent tragedy but also to be aware of the passive voice and how to challenge the antiquated way that females are described.

In the past week we have celebrated International Women’s Day and Mothering Sunday but shortly after followed the media attack on Meghan Markle and Cressida Dick, two high profile females who have been described in certain ways and often pitted against other females in comparison. For example the language used to describe the actions of Meghan Markle is worlds away from the positive language that Kate Middleton often receives.

We hope Mrs Gorman’s address stirred an interest in the pupils to be more active in their campaigning for women’s equality but also to reiterate that women have a right to feel safe in any environment and that it is a male’s responsibility to ensure this.

Our thoughts are very much with the family of Sarah Everard.