Amanda Amaeshi: Here are the best practices for true diversity

I don’t remember exactly when my utopian view of the world was shattered, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve always wondered why ­inequality and injustice continue to persist in our world.

Countless times I’ve heard sentiments like “the world isn’t perfect” or “life isn’t fair” as justifications for why things are the way they are. I hate ­responses like these so much. Sure, things are far from perfect, things aren’t fair for everyone … but what good is simply complaining?

I know I can’t solve everything, of course, but I’ve always thought that I should play my role in helping to improve the world.

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My advocacy journey began when, as a Year of Young People 2018 ambassador, I spoke out on issues that mattered to young people in Scotland – such as youth ­involvement in politics, young people’s rights, and the importance of ­celebrating young people’s achievements.

As a ­member of the Girlguiding Advocate Panel, from 2019 to 2022, I spoke out on issues ­affecting girls and young women in the UK, through blogs and live radio interviews, and by giving speeches at events to audiences of CEOs, politicians, and other key decision-makers.

For example, I represented Girlguiding at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference, where I stressed the importance of everybody – not just those directly affected by violence against women and girls – playing their role in shifting a culture that is deeply rooted in misogyny.

As well as continuing my role as a Young Spokesperson for Girlguiding ­Scotland, I am currently a Council Member of Phase Two of the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG). NACWG is evaluating the ­extent to which the Scottish Government has successfully implemented our recommendations in order to tackle gender inequality in Scotland.

For my writing and campaigning work, I was named on the YWCA Scotland’s 30 Under 30 list for 2020. In April 2021, I was named the ­Glasgow Times Young Scotswoman of the Year 2020 (YSWOTY).

In my YSWOTY acceptance speech, I remarked on how winning this award signified an opportunity to serve as a positive role model for other young women – however, I wanted my ­impact to be more than merely a source of ­inspiration.

After all, as American political activist Angela Davis rightly said: “It is essential to resist the depiction of history as the work of heroic individuals in order for people today to recognise their ­potential agency as part of an ever-expanding ­community of struggle.”

So, in my YSWOTY speech, I emphasised the idea that everyone has a role to play in societal movements, to help make the world a better place. I continue to hold this view as paramount to ensuring societal progress.

Access to opportunities and support is crucial for individuals to discover their roles and maximise their potential. I know I would not be where I am today without continued support and guidance from fellow activist friends and mentors over the years.

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However, from conversations I’ve had with those wanting to make a positive difference to society, I’ve realised that not everyone knows what steps to take, or what they are capable of achieving. Not everyone knows where to look to find ­opportunities, or belongs to a group or organisation aligned with their interests.

Addressing the Scottish feminist sector at Engender’s Annual General Meeting in November 2023, I posed a challenge – how can we strengthen the sector’s ­engagement with people who are not (yet) involved in feminist activism, particularly those from underrepresented groups?

This question is not limited to the feminist sector, of course – it’s relevant across all sectors. By having people from ­diverse backgrounds and life ­experiences, a variety of skills and ­perspectives can be utilised to learn from and shape policy to the benefit of everyone.

However, “diversity” must not be weaponised as an empty buzzword merely to give off the impression of progress – rather, truly diverse participatory practices are continuous, tangible and meaningful. What exactly do I mean by this?

Let me share some examples of good practice.

The Empowering Women Panel is working collaboratively with NACWG to ensure that the work of NACWG in evaluating the Scottish Government’s gender equality policy continues to be grounded in the reality of women’s lives in Scotland – especially those who face multiple intersecting inequalities. These women in particular are disproportionately affected by policy, yet are routinely excluded from policy development.

The panel consists of around 20 members (and even more women are involved through outreach, engagement and community research conducted by the panel members). This allows for more effective and relevant policy analysis which can make a real difference to women’s lives.

Another great example is the Scottish Youth Parliament’s (SYP) The Right Way hub, launched in May 2023 and funded by the Scottish Government’s Children’s Rights Unit.

This initiative, designed by young people, supports officials and decision-makers in upholding young people’s Article 12 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) right to be heard.

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In any field of work, at the heart of it must be those who are most impacted and most marginalised. Participation needs to not reinforce existing societal hierarchies, and come with the necessary support in place, tailored to the specific needs of those involved.

Empowering people with knowledge and confidence is crucial for their meaningful participation.

The crises of the 2020s serve as stark reminders of the necessity for everyone to cultivate political awareness and actively engage in politics. As we begin a year that will likely host a General Election, we must not become indifferent to injustice.

Stay informed – seek out diverse sources of information, fact-check, and engage in civil discourse with others. I highly recommend following activists on social media, such as Mikaela Loach and Charli Clement, whose insightful content delves into various important social issues. I also love shado mag, a lived-experience-led community of social justice advocates. As well as publishing perceptive articles, shado runs live events and a podcast. Its content typically concludes with a segment suggesting tangible actions, empowering readers and listeners.

Concrete steps to resist apathy involve not just recognising the challenges but actively participating in addressing them. You could attend community forums or town hall meetings to voice concerns and engage in constructive dialogue with local representatives.

Or you could contribute to advocacy groups or grassroots movements that champion equality, particularly those which amplify the needs and perspectives of marginalised communities.

And register to vote if you haven’t already – and use the power of your vote wisely. Encourage those around you to do likewise. Support candidates and policies aligned with principles that promote equality and justice, again keeping in mind those who are most disadvantaged in society.

Active and meaningful political participation must be at the top of our collective New Year’s resolutions list.

In 2024 and beyond, we need to ensure that everyone is supported to participate in shaping policy that can make a real difference to their lives and society as a whole and that we don’t allow ourselves to succumb to political apathy, which ultimately allows injustice to persist.

I will leave you with the final lines of my YSWOTY acceptance speech, as I think 16-year-old Amanda said it best: “After all, everyone’s voice – regardless of who they are or where they come from – is important and deserves to be heard. And if we all work together to fight injustice in the world, we will leave the world a better place than how we found it.”