My name is Aleena Shaji, pronouns: she/her and I am doing a double degree in Bachelor of Commerce and Arts. I’ll be running for Guild Councillor for 2025. I was one of the first year Engineering representatives in Semester 1, until I decided to change my course in which I was no longer doing engineering. As a person, I’m extremely passionate about women’s rights and LGBTQIA+ rights and I believe in promoting equality and respect for each person’s right to live the life they want, as long as they're not promoting or endorsing harm on others, without judgement and discrimination. My biggest belief is that regardless of how someone feels about the way another person is living their life, people should learn to respect other people’s values and acknowledge that while something doesn’t align with your values does not mean that you can impose your values on them. Especially when it comes to things such as women’s rights, regarding the discourse surrounding abortion, some people think just because they don’t believe in abortion and see it as misaligning with their values, they can impose that point of view on everyone else. I don’t see the need to control other people based on someone’s personal thoughts. The same goes for people who disregard and refuse to acknowledge the existence of the LGBTQIA+ community, in doing so bringing harm to many people in the community. I believe people should be able to live, live without restraint, live without fear and judgement and that is what I’m advocating for, policies and actions that can protect the vulnerable and the marginalised to ensure harmony at least in our university.
As someone who has served the Guild previously as a Women’s Officer and on the Guild Council, I have the experience of someone who understands and has a track record of delivering for students through the Guild.
Vote [1] Aleena Shaji for Guild Councillor!
Vote [1] Dylan Storer for President!
Vote [1] Illuminate!