‘Feminism is for all’
A Porirua teenager says feminism shouldn’t be a dirty word.
Maisy Bentley said she was proud to be a feminist and wanted more people, men and women, to join her.
So the 17-year-old has set up a ‘Girl Boss’’ group at Aotea College. Started in Auckland, the initiative’s mission is to inspire, educate and equip the next generation of women to lead and change the world.
‘‘Feminism isn’t a dirty word, it’s not a bad thing, it’s something that makes perfect sense.
‘‘[Feminism is] about starting a discussion about sexism...it’s an issue and still a taboo subject.’’
She said there were feminist issues everywhere from wage gaps to the social constraints faced by women.
‘‘The image of angry men-hating women with hairy armpits is not right, normal women need to be feminists and men should be too.’’
Bentley said making a stand on human rights kept her pretty busy.
‘‘I’m a normal person, I go to school, I have a part time job. I just do it while trying to save the world.’’
She has also just competed in the nationwide inter-school mooting competition, is a UN Youth Ambassador, part of the model European Union, organised Aotea College’s 40 hour famine effort, and is applying for the Global Development Tour next year in Europe and New York.
Guidance counsellor Nicole Macquet said Bennett would achieve great things.
‘‘She will represent Porirua and New Zealand on the world stage. She has ambition, innovation and drive and she doesn’t ask for permission.’’