Women's Empowerment Network at Parliament

By Harris Academy Orpington

As part of HAO’s equality initiative, some of our students had an amazing opportunity to attend an exclusive event at Parliament on Wednesday 19th March 2025 to celebrate the success of the Women’s Empowerment Network, which is a group that has stemmed from the Traveller Movement organisation.

Teacher, A Miele from HAO asked the students the following questions:

How did you feel when you were invited to Parliament?

• A real pleasure

• Very excited

• Excited and nervous

• Happy and felt that I was special

What was it like when you entered the building? 

• Nervewracking but excited

• It almost felt that it was too special, it was a very special place

• It was really fancy and tense because its a big building full of lots of important people

• It was very big and very shiny and  the walls were full of history

How did it make you feel seeing inspirational GRT women speaking at the event? 

• I felt like there was a very inspiring and happy because now I don’t need to hide my culture

• It made me feel really inspired to hear what these women had been through in their lifetime. It has made me feel more confident.

• It made me feel that I can make a change towards the traveller community. I was inspired by listening to the women and their stories and that they stood up for what’s right in their community and it has started to make a change.

• I loved that it wasn’t simply just travellers, there were women from all over the world to listen to each others stories. It was good to see people from around the world and Romani and Gypsy cultures.

• I was inspired by the amount of women there and even though they had tough lives when they were younger they are now very strong and confident in themselves.

• I felt very excited when they were talking because I liked how they were all following their own dreams which made me feel like I want achieve the same and be successful like them.

How do you feel since attending?

• I feel very proud of who I am, in the future I can tell my children and grandchildren that I went to an event where our culture is celebrated

• It has definitely made me feel more confident.

• Don’t hide your culture for anyone, be proud and just stand out

• Its made me feel really happy knowing that there are people who represent us that are trying to make a difference.

• I feel like I can do anything.

You can read the full HAO article here