change will do us good

Here are eight wins that promised positivity amid the negative headlines.

1 UPSKIRTING IS MADE ILLEGAL After a tireless campaign from Gina Martin, activist and author of Be The Change, taking a picture up someone’s skirt without their permission was made illegal in April. ‘The law change this year was a win for all of us,’ said Martin. ‘It showed what happens when regular people join together and ask for better. They say create what you need, and doing that was a huge lesson for me. If you use your anger, get strategic, know the facts, get the right people on board and play the long game, you don’t have to be a politician to make change.’ 2 ‘HAPPY TO CHAT’ BENCHES ARE LAUNCHED In a bid to fight loneliness, Avon & Somerset Police set up a scheme in May to create ‘chat benches’. Marked with a sign that reads: ‘Happy to chat bench. Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello,’ the seats break down invisible social barriers. Chat benches have since popped up across the globe.

3 INSTAGRAM BANS DIET PRODUCT ADVERTS Gone are the days when influencers and celebrities could freely advocate miracle detox teas and appetite-suppressant lollies in sponsored posts. Instagram announced in September that diet products won’t be shown to anyone under the age of 18, while anything that ‘makes a miraculous claim about certain diet or weight-loss products, and is linked to a commercial offer such as a discount code’ is banned outright.

4 SEX EDUCATION BECOMES MORE INCLUSIVE In April, parliament passed new regulations for relationships and sex education, which mean all UK secondary schools will be required to teach pupils about sexual orientation and gender identity from September 2020. The charity Stonewall called it ‘life-changing legislation’.

5 ANGOLA AND BOTSWANA DECRIMINALISE HOMOSEXUALITY In what was deemed a landmark ruling, both Angola and Botswana banned the archaic laws that forbode same-sex relationships this year. Previously, it was punishable by up to seven years in prison.

6 NEW ZEALAND UNVEILS ITS WELLBEING BUDGET Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, announced that, for the first time, the country’s budget would not be focused on economic prosperity. Instead, the government will be set on improving the mental health of residents and tackling child poverty and family violence, with each area receiving record funding.

7 THE LAW ON ABORTION IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS SET TO CHANGE After MPS at Westminster voted for a law change in July, abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland as of October this year. Beforehand, it was only allowed if the mother’s health was at risk.

8 UK GOVERNMENT PLEDGES FREE TAMPONS IN SCHOOLS In March, the Government announced a scheme to make tampons and sanitary towels available for free in all secondary schools. ‘Nobody should have to compromise on education because they’re too poor to afford period products,’ said campaigner Amika George. ‘With free products available to all, every child can achieve their goals and be their best, without periods holding them back.’