The Cactus

by Sarah Haywood

What it boils down to is knowing that women are equal to men, and living that knowledge. It’s about ensuring that equality is recognised in the home, in the workplace, in public life. And it’s about acknowledging that we all – women and men – are strong sometimes, weak sometimes; cool-headed sometimes, emotional sometimes; right sometimes, wrong sometimes. Locking away your feelings and vulnerabilities has got nothing at all to do with it. That’s something else entirely.’

‘That’s like saying a feminist would never love, and that’s obviously not true. Whenever you open yourself up to another person, same sex or opposite, you take the risk of being hurt. That’s a simple reality of life.’