Gurls Talk: Adwoa Aboah on creating a 'safe space' for women

Getty Images Adwoa — Gurls Talk founder Adwoa Aboah

Gurls Talk is an online community for young women to discuss things like mental health, sex, and social media.

Its first real-life festival has taken place in London, with talks and workshops.

"I told other girls they could open up to me, so I'm not leaving," says founder and model Adwoa Aboah, who's had her own struggles with depression.

"The moment I opened my mouth I took on that responsibility."

"A lot of the time people put up a front. Events like this allow people to break that down," says Ellie

BBC News "A lot of the time people put up a front. Events like this allow people to break that down," says Ellie — "A lot of the time people put up a front. Events like this allow people to break that down," says Ellie

Hundreds of young women and men came along to the free event.

"I think it's important that girls can speak to each other about their problems because sexism is at all levels of society," says 18-year-old Clara.

"I'm in high school, and it's still very obvious that the guys get to talk more, and get to take more places than the girls."

Umi and Hodaya customised their Gurls Talk bags with embroidery

BBC News Umi and Hodaya customised their Gurls Talk bags with embroidery — Umi and Hodaya customised their Gurls Talk bags with embroidery

Gurls Talk began as an Instagram account in 2015, encouraging women to share their stories.

Since then it's grown into something bigger, with Adwoa giving talks in schools, and lots of women writing in for advice.

"These are my girls, these are my tribe. Having them all here was amazing," says Adwoa.

She spent much of Saturday hugging the girls who went along, and even started a conga line with them at one point.

Photographers took portraits of everyone to take home

BBC News Photographers took portraits of everyone to take home — Photographers took portraits of everyone to take home

"I think it's important for women to know that they're not alone," says Umi, who is 17. "We're always stigmatised with words like 'bossy', or [people will say] 'That's not ladylike', or 'slut.'"

She feels teenagers are often not listened to.

"Young girls experience sexual harassment in ways that we don't talk about enough, or people don't take seriously. From age 13 onwards, I've been catcalled in the street. That's not OK."

Getty Images Adwoa speaking at the event — Adwoa speaking at the event

Adwoa was among the speakers at Saturday's event, alongside top model Hanne Gaby Odiele, feminist columnist Laurie Penny, doctors and relationship experts.

"Hearing someone that you put on a pedestal talk about their experiences in such a raw way is really nice. You realise that all the people you idolise are just people," says Lauren, 19.

"I was very worried that as a guy this wasn’t a space for me, but it’s important that everyone’s included in these discussions," says Matt

BBC News Matt, one of the men who attended the event — "I was very worried that as a guy this wasn’t a space for me, but it’s important that everyone’s included in these discussions," says Matt

Many girls at the event asked Adwoa about how to cope with the pressure they feel from social media to look a certain way.

"I completely understand because I was in that place of projecting this very fake image of who I was," Adwoa tells Newsbeat.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm adding to that worm hole of imagery that's so detrimental to how women look at themselves.

"The people at the top of the social media game don't always take on that responsibility. They show a life that's out of many people's reach."

BBC News Isra and Allya, who attended — Isra and Allya

Seventeen-year old Isra tells Newsbeat she wants to see more diverse images of beauty promoted.

"When you look at television adverts, when you look at magazines, you see the models and they're all of one body type, one colour type, and it does get to you," she says.

"You're like, 'Why do they epitomise white European features so much? Am I not beautiful?'

"They're embracing diversity only through [skin] colour, not through facial features, body features. Diversity's so much more than colour."

"It’s a safe space for girls. For me that means all girls, regardless of colour, sexuality, style," says Lola, with her friend Lauren

BBC News "It’s a safe space for girls. For me that means all girls, regardless of colour, sexuality, style," says Lola, with her friend Lauren — "It’s a safe space for girls. For me that means all girls, regardless of colour, sexuality, style," says Lola, with her friend Lauren

Adwoa is often credited with helping to increase diversity in modelling.

She appeared on the March cover of American Vogue, alongside six models of differing skin tone and body shape, and in the new Gap advert, directed by new Vogue editor Edward Enninful, with the slogan 'Unified in harmony'.

"Social media makes being a woman all the more complex," says Alexa, "you start to seek validation through these negative ideals."

BBC News Alexa, who attended the evnt — "Social media makes being a woman all the more complex," says Alexa, "you start to seek validation through these negative ideals."

She says she hopes campaigns like these signify real change in the industry.

"I am only one type of girl as well. It shouldn't just be, 'OK we put Adwoa in so we've hit that quota.' It's not good enough."

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