Speech (Leaving Cert English): Model Answers

Speech: 'We Live in an Unequal World'

As women's rights activist Alice Paul once said, 'There is nothing complicated about equality'. Ladies and gentlemen, I urge you to question if true equality exists in our modern society. In a world governed by green bills, dictated by power and fuelled by corruption, I sincerely hope that we agree- we live in an unequal world. Can you name three female CEOs? Can you count the number of children who will go to sleep hungry tonight? Can you honestly say that, in your position of privilege, power and authority, you strive to create a more inclusive society? Despite the staggering sums invested in the mission to end global hunger and eradicate racism, there remains an unbridgeable gap between various social groups in our society. We may not forbid married women to work, and the 'Fugitive Slave Act' may have been abolished, but we must face the uncomfortable reality – inequality exists, and we have to change.

Ladies and gentlemen, gender inequality infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Some would argue that the recent Equality Acts have eradicated every last trace of gender imbalance in the workplace. Equal pay for equal work, right? Wrong! According to a survey conducted by the UN in 2022, women earn 84 cents for every one euro a man earns. This survey examined women and men who worked in identical positions, carrying out the same duties and assigned the same responsibilities. Synonymous roles yet a glaring difference in pay. Is this acceptable? According to this same survey, there are more CEOs named John than all female CEOs in total. This is despicable, deplorable and disturbing. This can be attributed to the infernal inequalities faced by women in the workplace. Women of childbearing age are shunned and discouraged if they express any interest in a promotion. Employers fear 'maternity leave'. It is a clichéd misconception that, upon entering motherhood, women lose all drive, ability and passion in their professional life. New mothers face demotions, pay cuts, or even dismissal! Do men face these same obstacles? I had the privilege of speaking to a successful female entrepreneur in the tech field. She spent ten years working at Amazon and claimed that she was regularly subjected to unwanted sexual approaches by her male counterparts. She was often scorned for her ambition and told to return to the kitchen, where women 'belong'. If we claim to have left gender inequality in the past, why is this the reality of so many working women?

Furthermore, ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to look around. Almost all of you have received some form of education. Unfortunately, that is not the case for many young girls across the globe. Over 129 million girls between the ages of 6 and 18 are not in school. A large proportion has never, and will never, attend school. What are we doing about this? Virtually nothing, it appears. It is a well-established fact that education is the key to an inclusive, equal and established society. We need doctors, scientists and engineers. We need solicitors, architects and entrepreneurs. We must teach our children about the past to preserve our future. So why do we allow girls to be forced out of school by terrorist groups? Malala Yousafzai's story is a painful reminder of the gender inequality that exists in the education system today. The Taliban nationalist, militant political group outlawed the education of women in Yousafzai's homeland. They destroyed local schools that catered for girls and brutally murdered girls who sought an education. In 2012, the Taliban hijacked Malala's school bus. The merciless attack that followed left Yousafzai with a bullet in her head and critical condition. After being securely transported to the UK, Malala has become an icon and an inspiration to young girls worldwide. However, the issue has not been dealt with. We laud Yousafzai on social media and you have awarded her the Nobel Peace Prize – certainly deserved. Yet, similar attacks occur daily. Similar girls risk their lives for an education. We ignore the facts, the statistics and the reality. We must resolve the political issues that act as a barrier to education. We must act now. Inequality exists in education and you have the power to change this.

Moreover, we appear utterly indifferent to the staggering wealth divide that plagues our society. Presently, we are comfortably seated in cushioned chairs. A plush carpet lies underfoot, and refreshments await us in the lobby. A shameful 1.8 billion people live below the poverty line. We allow ordinary families to be deserted in the streets. We allow innocent children to fall asleep to the painful howling of a starving stomach. Poverty is the underlying cause of over 50% of deaths worldwide. Insufficient financial resources deprive people of healthcare, food and shelter. A study conducted by 'Concern' reveals the disturbing reality of the wealth divide. Over the past two years, the richest one per cent earned twice as much as the rest of the world combined. This is repulsive, vile and utterly unacceptable. The rich eat off golden plates whilst the poor don't eat at all! We have elected you, ladies and gentlemen, to tackle this issue. Financial equality depends on you.

Additionally, racism is an issue that you refuse to confront. Do you question racial inequalities and discrimination in your life? Do you challenge those who belittle others based on the colour of their skin? Over the past number of years, my feed has been flooded with reports of racially motivated police attacks. The brutal murder of George Floyd in 2020 sparked uproar from civilians across the globe. Floyd was subjected to unspeakable brutality from police officers that led to his death. The footage released of a grinning police officer kneeling on the unresponsive man's neck is deeply unsettling. The officers claim the attack was merely procedure – they were simply investigating a report from the public when, unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not the case. I believe the outcome would have been different if it was a white man under investigation. Racist stereotypes are ingrained in the minds of many- people make inaccurate, absurd assumptions about individuals based solely on the colour of their skin. A frightening study from The Washington Post last year revealed that people of colour are twice as likely to be shot and killed by police officers. This racial bias must be challenged, and it must be challenged immediately. This discrimination and inequality comes at the cost of thousands of lives. It is your duty to tackle this savagery.

Furthermore, racism infiltrates the education system. Earlier, I highlighted the importance of an education system that fosters the potential of each individual. The disparities between children of colour and white children in schools are not as prominent as the previous centuries, however they still exist. Students of colour are four times more likely to be suspended or expelled and are less likely to be placed in gifted programmes. Does this surprise you? Did you believe that racial discrimination in education ended with the closure of the last segregated school? You would be sorely mistaken. Children of colour suffer harassment, verbal abuse and isolation from their peers at school based solely on the colour of their skin. This is inconceivable, distressing and disgusting. These children are at a distinct disadvantage as their teachers do not offer them equal opportunities, and they are effectively marginalised from school life. It proves difficult for these children to pursue their education as they are discouraged and lack support. The ridiculous, preconceived notions about the links between people of colour and crime need to be challenged and questioned.

Finally, we must discuss the exclusion and abandonment of those with disabilities. I will call again on education to highlight the significance of these inequalities. In today's world of fast cars, extravagant homes and ostentatious handbags, I find it difficult to comprehend the lack of accessibility in schools across the globe. A mere 5% of schools are accessible by wheelchair. How can we nurture our children if they cannot make it inside the school door? The issue intensifies when we consider the lack of care and resources for those with learning difficulties. I came across a lady in my local area whose daughter has a form of autism. She cannot access adequate resources in our town or the towns around us. This seven-year-old child is forced to travel three hours a day to receive adequate education. I find this unfathomable and deplorable. She is exhausted from the early mornings and taxing travelling. This puts her at a distinct disadvantage to her peers. Ladies and gentlemen, we fail to cater for those with additional needs. Is this fair?

Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, inequality saturates every aspect of our society. We have the resources to change, but we must be willing. Leaders, we have elected you to safeguard the lives of the disadvantaged and the desolate. I urge you to act now before it is too late. The path to a united and equal world may be complex and confusing, but equality is ultimately not complicated. Thank you.