Kaua’i committee names winner of 2023 Women’s History Essay Contest

Waimea High School 2023 graduate Ryder Owen wins first place in Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women’s essay contest.

“We are so proud of Mr. Owen and all the other students who submitted essays this year,” said Chair Darcie Yukimura. “Hearing from various voices about these important social justice issues that are greatly impacting girls and genders non-conforming persons on Kaua‘i and around the world has been inspiring, and we can see the amount of thought and effort that was put into this contest. Mahalo to all for your hard work and sharing your heart with our community.”

Owen loves spending time with family and close friends, and enjoys surfing and playing basketball. His plans after graduation include working over the summer to save money to travel and continue writing creatively. He hopes to attain hands-on training in areas of farming, agriculture, and marketing of medicinal products.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the committee opened the contest from January to March to all Kaua‘i public, private, charter and home-school high school students.

This year’s essay contest theme was: “Your silence will not protect you.” It is a famous quote by American civil rights leader Audre Lorde, who dedicated her life to confronting racism, sexism, classism and homophobia through community organizing, writing and teaching.

Entrants were asked to submit a one-page essay answering the question, “What is a social justice issue that impacts girls and/or genders non-conforming persons, and what are potential solutions?”

Cash prizes were awarded to the top three students, with an additional student named Honorable Mention. This is the first in a four-part series highlighting the students who wrote the winning essays. The remaining three entrants will be featured in subsequent stories.

Owen’s winning essay is featured below:

Equity and justice are essential components of a fair and just society. One issue that particularly impacts women and non-conforming individuals is the lack of access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare. This issue not only affects the physical and mental well-being of these individuals, but it also perpetuates systemic inequalities and discrimination.

The thesis of this essay is that the lack of access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare for women and non-conforming individuals is a significant equity and justice issue that must be addressed through policy and systemic changes.

One major barrier to access for these populations is the high cost of healthcare. Women and non-conforming individuals are more likely to live in poverty and have lower incomes, making it difficult for them to afford the high costs associated with healthcare services.

Additionally, discrimination and bias within the healthcare system can lead to inadequate or subpar care for these individuals. This lack of access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare can have severe consequences, including poor health outcomes and increased rates of chronic diseases.

One potential solution to this issue is the implementation of universal healthcare.

Universal healthcare systems provide access to healthcare services for all individuals regardless of their income or ability to pay. This can greatly increase access to healthcare for individuals who are more likely to be living in poverty. Additionally, universal healthcare systems can reduce discrimination within the healthcare system by ensuring that all individuals have access to the same level of care.

Another solution is the promotion of community health centers. Community health centers provide primary and preventive care services to underserved communities. These centers are often staffed by community members and have a deep understanding of the needs of the population they serve. This can lead to more culturally competent and sensitive care for women and non-conforming individuals. Community health centers can also provide care for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, which can greatly increase access to healthcare for these populations.

It is also important to note that this is not just a problem of healthcare, but also a problem of structural inequality, where the marginalized groups are systematically prevented from accessing resources, opportunities, and services. It is important to consider intersectionality when addressing this issue, and to understand that the healthcare needs of women and non-conforming individuals are not monolithic, and will vary depending on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other identities.

In conclusion, the lack of access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare for women and non-conforming individuals is a significant equity and justice issue that must be addressed through policy and systemic changes. Universal healthcare and community health centers are potential solutions that can greatly increase access to healthcare for these populations. By understanding and addressing the systemic barriers that exist within our current healthcare system, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all individuals.