What It Means to Be a Woman in 2018: Setsuko Ono

To celebrate 100 years of Suffrage in the UK, we’re asking a host of women of note to answer our Q&A

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Artist and younger sister of Yoko, Setsuko Ono answers our ‘what it means to be a woman in 2018’ Q&A, to mark 100 years of suffrage; the Representation of the People Act 1918 was passed on 6 February 1918.

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Setsuko Ono Q&A

It’s been 100 years since women were granted the right to vote in the UK – how far do you think women have come in the last century?

Women in have come far in the last century. Women are getting stronger. They are demanding respect of their bodies as well as equal pay for similar technical levels. But compared to the scale of the issue, women have only made marginal improvements.

What does it mean to be a woman in 2018?

One cannot be a woman without being a human being. To be a human being means you have to understand the requirements of the society, how it should change, how it should become more just and equal, eliminating all discriminations.

What do women still need to achieve?

Women need to get involved in changing the mentality of the society.

Your personal proudest achievement?

I do not have a personal achievement. I share the achievements of surviving in this difficult world with men and women.

If you could teach young women one thing about being a woman it would be…

And if you could teach young men one thing…

I cannot single out women or men. Both sexes must learn to honour human values.

Complete the following:

In the next 100 years, I hope women will…

Succeed in changing the society to make it more equal, more just, more peaceful.

Setsuko Ono created a painting in 2017 in order to express her deep frustrations of how women still suffer with discrimination. The piece is called Amaterasu, Goddess of Sun, and is currently on display at Asia House.

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