Hanano Sawamura, a student from Soka University is our next featured advocate of "Humans of ISC65". Having learned about female genital mutilation and child prostitution in developing countries, she along with her table-mates is striving to provide women with the rights they deserve.
"In my opinion, backgrounds of these kinds of problems, there are the tendency to think lightly of lives, women are treated as objects, not people. I’d not seen problems such as wars and conflicts with women’s rights until this opportunity, I’m so interested in the studying and discussions. "
Q１. Please tell us what are the reasons/motivations that made you apply for ISC65?
Hello, everyone! I’m Hanano Sawamura from table 2, sophomore in Soka university, faculty of international liberal arts. When I took a class of career support in my university, I got the information of ISC. I was interested in ISC, because I want to try a lot during university life. But I didn’t have the confidence in my English skills, I had worry it. Last November, I took part in the symposium in my university with some my club mates. I’m Interested in education and gender issues, so I belong to the club which I can learn these problems. In this symposium,we gave a presentation about the child prostitution. At the same time, I thought that I really want to be a person who can share own opinions. I believe ISC is the best chance to improve my skills, that’s why I’m trying ISC. Additionally, I was studying English in University of Southern California in US from February to about 4 months. I want to grow in this summer with experiences during study abroad.
Q２.What do you think about your table’s topic?
I’m a member of Table 2, topic is “Feminist perspectives on wars and conflicts”. Today, “gender issues” are discussed by a lot of people in all over the world. Last year, I learned about female genital mutilation and child prostitution in developing countries, I have considered the women’s rights. In my opinion, backgrounds of these kinds of problems, there are the tendency to think lightly of lives, women are treated as objects, not people. I’d not seen problems such as wars and conflicts with women’s rights until this opportunity, I’m so interested in the studying and discussions. In addition, I believe that to protect women’s rights lead to the create society which values all of lives. In order to create society which every life is respected, I’ll do my best.
Q3. Can you tell us a little bit about your hometown?
I was born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture. Kawasaki is a good city, because it near Tokyo and Yokohama. Since I was in the sixth grade of elementary school, I have lived in Yamanashi prefecture. In Yamanashi, there is Mt, Fuji, which is the highest mountain in Japan. Although I don’t live in the area where close to Mt, Fuji, I can see beautiful Mt, Fuji, if I move about 20 minutes by a car. Every year, in the new year day, I see the Mt, Fuji with my family. There is Fuji Q Highland, where has a lot of roller coasters, nearby Mt, Fuji. In addition, peaches and grapes are famous fruits in Yamanashi, they are so fresh and delicious! In spring, we can enjoy strawberry picking and from summer to fall, we can experience peach and grape picking. There are also hot springs and camp sites rich in nature. It’s not too far from Tokyo, there are many places where we can relax. My home town is countryside, but close to Tokyo, so I had been to junior and high school in Tokyo. It is convenient because it is easy to go to Tokyo by a car or train. Additionally, we can feel clean air, see beautiful stars. It is the best to see a lot of stars when I’m tried. Please come to Yamanashi, you can use trains or cars!