Olivia Bothamley-Dakin

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Unveiling The Ludicrousness Of French U18 Hijab Ban - Nowadays

France’s national motto is “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” – liberty, equality and fraternity. Yet, banning the hijab is the direct antithesis of this. Stopping Muslim women from comfortably going to a swimming pool is not freedom. Regulating what Muslim women wear is not equality. Alienation of the French Muslim community is not fraternal

At the end of March, the French Senate voted to ban the Hijab for Muslim girls under the age of 18. They also voted to ban burkinis and prohibit hijab-wearing
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The importance of celebrating different kinds of love

Oversized teddy bears with giant red hearts stapled to their bodies. Overpriced set menus. A queue of disgruntled-looking men outside of Clintons. Oh no, it’s that time of year again! It’s Valentine’s Day.

It’s ironic that a holiday designed to celebrate one of the most enjoyable emotions instead brings dread to couples and singletons alike. It’s not all red roses and heart shaped chocolates. Valentine’s Day can exacerbate loneliness, reignite past relationship trauma, and cause way too much un
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Ashling Murphy: violence against women is not just a women’s issue

On 13th January, Britain woke up expecting another Covid-19 headline on their news apps. Perhaps even a breaking news story highlighting an uncovered Downing Street lockdown party. Instead, it was confronted with the violent murder of yet another woman. The murder of Ashling Murphy – a talented musician and well-respected teacher from Tullamore, Ireland. Ten months ago, the killing of Sarah Everard (a Durham alumna) raised the conversation around violence against women. We hoped that, out of her
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Hope and accountability: the benefits of New Year’s resolutions

Do daily core exercises, eat more salad and work harder at my degree have been my rather cliché, rather pathetic, New Year’s resolutions for the past few years. By March, I can be seen scoffing a packet of digestives, hunched over at a desk, furiously typing a history essay the night before the deadline. Every year I make resolutions, and every year I break them. I don’t think I’m alone.

New Year’s resolutions date back to over 4,000 years ago, reportedly starting with the Babylonians who made
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Periods and the workplace: what’s to be done?

I’m one of the lucky ones. That rare breed of girl that other girls love to hate. Why? Because I’m in that select group of 20%. The 20% of women who don’t suffer from period pains. Therefore, I feel rather underqualified in writing this article. I’ve never sat at work with a hot water bottle under my desk. I’ve never had to knock back paracetamol like it is vodka shots in Klute. I’ve never had to miss school or work because of my period.

Therefore, I turned to my best group of gal pals and aske
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The vaccine vs the young

A cover of Dinah Washington’s song, ‘what a difference a day makes’ is the backing track to the government’s recently released television advert targeting younger generations to get a vaccine. Whilst this advert is a heart-warming depiction of the efforts of NHS workers in the vaccine roll-out, as a young person, I am somewhat disheartened that the government feels that it is our generation who will not make a difference by getting the vaccine. Once again, we are scapegoated and generalised as r
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Misogyny: becoming a hate crime in England

“Misogyny is now a hate crime.” These five words have been repeatedly posted on Instagram stories and occupied national newspaper headlines. Yet these five words, which aim to make women’s lives safer have still managed to spark debate.

Simultaneously championed as a “game-changer” yet trivialised as “arrests for wolf-whistling” by naïve media, misogyny will now be recorded by police as a hate crime. The change will come into force for all 43 police constabularies for a trial period in autumn.
Empoword Journalism •

Contributors React: International Children’s Book Day

Today is International Children’s Book day, so to celebrate we asked our contributors to look back and reflect on their favourite childhood book.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The Wind in the Willows is a classic. It’s the kind of story you read to your children at night after a hard day’s work, right before you curl up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate and reminisce about the past; about the memories you keep locked away; the memories that only resurface in the most silent
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Take Back The Bailey; ‘As a collective, we want societal change.’ | Her Campus

Following in the wake of the Sarah Everard tragedy, a group of students spanning different year groups decided enough was enough. Together they formed Take Back The Bailey (TBTB). A campaign group focussed on making Durham’s streets safer for women.

I was lucky enough to chat to five representatives from the group, Rhianne, Ellie, Jess, Kunj and Finola about setting up the group and it’s future.

What sparked from an Instagram story now has emerged into a campaign group actively working with so
Empoword Journalism •

'It's Chic to Repeat'- Reflecting on My One Year Fast Fashion Ban

You know that feeling when you rifle through that mountain of clothes you own, yet you still have nothing to wear? I used to know that feeling so well.

TikTok clothing hauls dominate your Instagram feed. Fast fashion brands barrage you with adverts on Facebook. So, the temptation to – in three clicks – have some new clothes delivered the next day is difficult to overcome.

Yet, it takes 2,000 gallons of water to make a single pair of jeans, a garment worker in Bangladesh takes home less than 40