GENDER.ED - EUSA Undergraduate Feminist Trailblazer Awards: 2nd Prize

2023 marked the second year of the GENDER.ED - EUSA Undergraduate Feminist Trailblazer Awards. The awards seek to recognise extraordinary commitments to feminist scholarship and change on campus. We saw a range of nominations from students and staff which were considered by a panel of judges from GENDER.ED and EUSA. The judges were Meryl Kenny (GENDER.ED steering committee member and convenor of GENDER.ED’s flagship course, Understanding Gender in the Contemporary World). Radhika Govinda (Director of GENDER.ED), Hemangini Gupta (Associate Director of GENDER.ED) and Sam Maccallum (former EUSA VP Education). 

The winner of 2023's second GENDER.ED-EUSA Undergraduate Feminist Trailblazer Award is Aarti Mukhedkar (Social Anthropology). Aarti is an incredibly powerful force for change on campus and nominators highlighted her leading role in organising the UoE #MeToo protests, pushing for institutional change and supporting survivors including through a campaign that garnered 60,000 signatures! 

Here are some of Aarti’s thoughts on questions posed to her by GENDER.ED’s Communications and Events Intern, Amy Life 

1. What motivates you to further the feminist cause?

We have different causes in feminism, and far too many battles to win. Often, it feels like the world is against all of our causes and has little place to accommodate change. I think the thing that motivates me to continue in the face of rigid institutions, archaic policy and narrow perspectives, is that there are people who are right there with me, joining a battle that has been going on for way before we came into this world, inching closer to the society we dream for in the feminist lexicon. It is easy to get immersed in our own personal goals and how we want to see society, but remembering that there is a context bigger than ourselves is something that always grounds me. It also gives me ease when I am bogged down, and allows me to remember that I am not alone. There are inspiring people all around me, giving me stamina when I am winded, and doing incredible things despite all odds. 

2. What advice would you give to other feminists and students wanting to get involved in activism at the University?

That you must be ready for the University to consistently resist your appeal for change. The University of Edinburgh is a tough place for activism, since most of it is against the very institution we are part of. It takes thick skin to be part of this, and you must constantly be ready for disappointment. Being ready, however, does not mean you accept their meaningless excuses, but simply a reminder to persevere in the face of rigidity. Having said this, you will meet the most incredible, headstrong and resilient people on your university journey if you participate in activism. And while all our problems are not directly with the university, to truly advocate for feminism at UOE, you must never forget the university’s complicity in crimes against women and marginalised genders and people. It is a tough place for activism, but perhaps a place that needs it quite urgently.   

3. Who else would you consider to be a ‘feminist trailblazer’? 

My Indian ancestors and Indian feminists are trailslaying for sure. To explain the cultural differences of feminism between India and the West, is difficult. To see the problems Indian women face constantly in my home country is something that angers me a lot. Any woman in India that resists the cruel nature of man and continuous patriarchal onslaught, is a feminist trailblazer. To resist, despite all odds being against you, is something that takes incredible strength, and has trickled down from my ancestors and into the modern world in India. 

Also shout out to everyone that worked on the #metooediuni campaign. Thank you for your strength, and your stamina for change. It is the only thing that kept me going when I felt I couldn’t anymore. The campaign’s success was only because of you.   

4. At the moment it can sometimes feel like we are moving backwards as opposed to progressing, what gives you hope that feminism can succeed?

All the powerful souls around me that exude courage and strength. The people that will continue campaigning for this cause even after I graduate. The fierceness and perseverance and limitless capacity of those that surround me in Edinburgh and beyond.