Sophie spoke passionately on the subject of “A woman’s place is where she chooses”, noting the importance of active solidarity to support women whose autonomy is circumscribed. Millie, from Shrewsbury High, asked us to consider whether political correctness has, indeed, gone too far, while Zelah from Oxford High gave a poetic reflection on language and freedom. The winner was Sonoma from Howell’s, who spoke without notes on the parallels between 1984 and our own society. Congratulations to all participants in the semi-final!

Finally, a huge thank you to our judges, Jane Forsyth (President of the Rotary Club of Northampton West), Anna Murby and Dr Rosalie Rodrigues, who gave up their time to adjudicate and provide the speakers with constructive feedback. We very much valued their time and expertise.

Sophie’s speech:

“A woman’s place is where she chooses”

In 1919 in Afghanistan, women were granted the right to vote, and one year later the right to education. Yet in 2025, over 100 years later, women are forbidden from voting, an education, healthcare or even speaking in public. In the UN general assembly Meryl Streep stated “A female cat has more rights than a woman in Afghanistan. A cat may go sit on her front stoop and feel the sun on her face. She may chase a squirrel into the park. A squirrel has more rights than a girl in Afghanistan today, because the public parks have been closed to women and girls by the Taliban,” A bird may sing in Kabul, but a girl may not in public. 

Does restricting women from speaking or even looking at a man in public help to resolve your issues? Is a powerful woman that intimidating to you that you’d rather Taliban fighters hold women at gunpoint outside their universities then let them get an education?

As a woman from Afghanistan told the BBC “If we can’t speak, why even live? We’re like dead bodies moving around,” It is better to die than to live like this.”

Yet why does it impact us – we live 3 and a half thousand miles from Afghanistan standing in a girls GDST school- where female leaders are celebrated and encouraged and we are taught that a woman’s place IS where she chooses.

Because as Martin Luther King famously said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.  As a woman who is allowed the right to free speech – as you can clearly see I’m doing right now, I need to utilise this opportunity, WE need to utilise our opportunities to stand up for the underrepresented and discriminated females worldwide and evoke impactful change. 

Our society claims that in 2025 a woman’s place IS where she chooses and that women can be whoever they want to be; nothing is stopping them; the glass ceiling no longer exists.

However, out of the 4 billion females worldwide, every single one of them will experience sexism in their lifetime. And 1 out of 3 will experience domestic abuse. Yet why are we so unwilling to accept that this is a problem that affects all of us – not just the women living in Afghanistan.

193 countries agreed to the universal declaration of human rights where it clearly states that: there can be no distinction or discrimination on the basis of gender, including the right to equal pay for work. Yet, according to the UK government office for national statistics even in the UK, women get paid on average 13% less than men with this stat rising to 28% for financial managers and directors. How can we claim that a woman’s place is where she chooses, yet when a woman chooses a powerful career role she gets paid at least a quarter less than her male counterpart.  

So why should you care if you are one of the 4.1 billion men worldwide? You are not having your education threatened, being denied opportunities or being paid less for doing the exact same job. By having a society promoting gender equality and inclusion, and closing gender gaps in labor force participation, it would boost global GDP by up to $28 trillion annually as shown by research from the United Nations and World Economic Forum. $28 trillion! In addition, sexism has been proven to be harmful to men’s mental health whereas a more inclusive society increases citizen happiness- including a 10% decrease in male depression rates according to research by the World Happiness Report 2024. Nordic countries for example Sweden, Norway and Denmark – all rank in the top 5 for gender equality and also top 5 for happiness levels worldwide. 

So how will YOU contribute to a better world for women (and men)?. You can raise awareness on femicide and domestic abuse and support survivors. You can challenge sexist behaviours and systems, campaign for stronger gender equality laws, volunteer and donate to women’s charities. You can champion and empower women, as well as becoming and supporting excellent role models. By taking action and  standing up for the rights of all women, you give women the ability to make their own choice of where their place is.. 

Giving women freedom, equality and education is not threatening or dangerous to men or society. Allowing women to choose where their place is should be supported and celebrated and a sexism free society benefits everyone.