The SU President has been criticised on social media after he announced that he will be hosting a panel event on international women’s day.
NTSU President Conor Naughton shared the news yesterday, on March 6.
Students said ‘it is disheartening’ to have a ‘white cis man’ hosting an event that will feature successful women across various industries.
Some added that the panel ‘lacks in diversity’ as all guests to be present at the event are white women.
Ethnic minorities officer for NTU Labour, Amrina Kaur, said: “They have a lot of events and activities for IWD.
“But not one of them mentions women of colour, LGBTQ+, disabled, non binary people and those identifying as a woman.
“Conor is a white male. Hosting a female panel.
“Women already feel uncomfortable enough as it is talking within the workplace and institutionally about the struggles and discrimination faced as a women, yet having a white male hosting will be even worse, and is a missed opportunity for representation.”
More students said they do not feel represent by the current student union.
Politics student Jemima Ruddock, 21, added: “I feel frustrated that time after time my students union are leading national women celebrations by men.
“I do not feel represented as a women by my students union and its just really upsetting to continuously see.”
Third year Politics student Tisha Wijekoon, 22, has echoed other students’ concerns towards the decision.
She added: “As a BAME, female student at NTU, I am extremely disappointed in the IWD panel that Conor Naughton is planning to host.
“First of all, I’m shocked that nobody at the NTSU thought that it might be inappropriate for a man to host a panel, discussing women and women’s issues.
“Secondly, as far as I am aware there is zero BAME or trans representation which is a huge step back for equality and feminism.
“Also, this event must have been approved by multiple members of permanent NTSU staff, and not one person thought about equal representation?
“To me that is a deeply concerning, systemic issue that must be addressed.”
However, the president of Feminist society replied to the critics, saying that not enough students are getting involved with women’s awareness events.
She argued that this could be a reason why Conor has ‘put himself forward’.
Esmé McCoy, third year Psychology student, 22, said: “It is so ironic that there has been a whole discussion about it yet people don’t join the feminist society – the society is about to be disaffiliated.
“I don’t think it really matters who is hosting the event cause he’s not actually gonna be speaking.
“The lack of representation is an issue, but also I think since I know a bit how hard it’s been to get people interested in events like this I understand.
“He actually asked me if the feminist society wanted to be involved, but because there are no members who actually partake in feminist events I didn’t think it would work out.
“I don’t fault it in this situation since he did email me about it, it’s just a same that unfortunately some people are more talk than action.”
NTSU President Conor Naughton has been approached for comment.
By Olimpia Zagnat
Lead image: NTSU Instagram