By Sonia Erwig (Year 11)

Since the beginning of the academic year, the student-led Amnesty International Club run by  Niya Nair (Year 11) and I, have organised numerous debates on topics related to Religion and Free Speech and so far, it has been a huge success with student numbers increasing.    

Amnesty International is a global organisation that focuses on human rights violations around the world and attempts to provide justice for those deprived of it. Here at BGS our Amnesty International Club helps to raise awareness of global issues and provides a safe space for students to discuss their own opinions and views.

It is important to us that we focus on issues that are important to the students at our school. Most recently we held a discussion about Women’s Health. In an era filled with noteworthy milestones in the fight for equal rights, it is imperative to acknowledge that many women still face significant challenges when it comes to their health. Despite advancements in medicine and technology, a 2022 Women’s Health Strategy for England survey revealed more than four in five women (84%) expressed feeling unheard by their healthcare professionals. This underlines a pressing need to enhance awareness and advocacy for women’s health issues, addressing critical areas such as reproductive health and the effect that poverty has on healthcare availability.

Over the next month, our meetings will focus on healthcare, particularly the medical differences between men and women often overlooked. We'll also create posters highlighting injustices women face in seeking treatment, affirming healthcare as a basic human right. Additionally, we'll organise a debate with the BGS Lovelace Society on technology's intersection with human rights, addressing ethical concerns hindering progress.