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My name is Vaibhav Soni, I am an international postgraduate student and I am running to be your Equality and Liberation Officer because I believe that every student, regardless of background, identity, sexual orientation or circumstance, should have the equal opportunity to thrive in an environment that is fair, inclusive, and empowering. I am committed to ensuring that University of Leeds is a place where diversity is celebrated, voices are amplified.

*CREATING A SAFE SPACE
My goal is to strengthen zero-tolerance policies on discrimination, harassment, and hate speech and creating a safe space for international Black, Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and other marginalized students to find their place at the university as a part of the same group i know it's really hard for queer students coming from different countries to settle in and find their place by hosting events exclusive to them.

*inclusive Learning Space
I recently got to know from some students that its really hard for disabled students to find their lecture rooms, exploring the campus and I aim to work towards more inclusive learning spaces captions on lectures, better signage, hybrid options for students with disabilities, and clear accessibility guidelines for all
events and lectures.

*Strengthening Collaboration with Student Societies My aim is to collaborate with all the societies, so that we can organize regular roundtable discussions with
cultural, faith-based, and liberation societies (e.g., Black, Asian, LGBTQ+, Women's, Disabled Students' networks) to understand their concerns and needs. supporting societies in securing funding and resources to run inclusive events and campaigns. Set up an Equality Forum where student networks can regularly voice their concerns and propose initiatives.

Why vote for me?
I'm really passionate, committed and determined to create a truly inclusive University of Leeds. Whether it's fighting for better policies, supporting student communities, or holding the university accountable, i will be relentless in ensuring that every student no matter what feels valued, respected and empowered.

Slogan 1 Empowering every voice, Enacting real change

Slogan 2 Lets turn up the volume for equality vote for
“SONi”

Mental Health Matters
— University and union mental health resources have broken links and outdated information.
— Only four free counselling sessions are offered, leaving students without adequate support.
— Long waiting times for support worsen symptoms and increase feelings of isolation.
— Disproportionate impact on men, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, BAME, and low-income students.
— University fails to collect and address suicide reports, leaving the issue unaddressed.
— I will demand statistics to understand the scope and ensure the university addresses why students are feeling low and suicidal.
— I will push for updated, functional resources and at least IO free counselling sessions.
— I will collaborate with groups like Andy's Man Club to create informal, stigma—free support spaces.
— I will advocate for neurodivergent-friendly services to ensure all students receive proper care

Women's Health Neglect
- Over 30% of women suffer from conditions like PCOS, PMDD, painful periods, or endometriosis.
— The university and union offer no direct support, forcing women to choose between attending classes in pain or falling behind academically.
— No hybrid learning options, safe spaces, or institutional support for women with chronic health issues.
— I will advocate for hybrid learning options, including recorded or call—in seminars and workshops.
— I will establish bi-weekly support groups to provide a safe space for women to share their experiences.
— By creating accessible resources and prioritising women's health, I will ensure no student has to sacrifice their well—being for their education.



Liberation for all Students
— Our university partners with Israeli institutions complicit in apartheid, normalising the destruction of Palestinian education.
— These ties contradict the university‘s commitment to integrity and justice, impacting students who value ethical education and global justice.
— This creates a campus environment that feels complicit in oppression.
— As Equality & Liberation Officer, I will lobby the university to commit to ethical partnerships and investments.
— I will empower students to advocate for justice by providing formal lobbying support, educational events, and activist training.
— As President of Palestine Solidarity Group in 2023/4, I passed four democratic policies supporting Palestine, collaborated with the union to host events, and worked with university management to implement a Palestine scholarship program.
- My experience equips me to drive meaningful change and empower others in the
fight for liberation both locally and globally.

Hi, I’m Yushu – Your Candidate for Equality & Liberation Officer

I’ve experienced firsthand what it means to navigate cultural and systemic barriers.
Coming from China and adapting to life here in the UK, I’ve often felt the challenge of
feeling “different” in a new environment. This journey—and my work organizing
intercultural events at Leeds—drives my passion to create a campus where every
student, regardless of background or identity, feels truly at home.

My Vision for an Inclusive Leeds:

Accessible & Inclusive:
• Place more (hot & cold) water refill stations across campus and roll out free
period products in all gender-neutral and female toilets in LUU.
• Install modern, comfortable sleeping pods in key areas to provide safe, quiet
spaces for students to rest and relax during long days on campus.
• Expand diverse and cheaper food options in LUU, such as vegan, vegetarian
and halal, ensuring every student has access to healthy, affordable meals.
Empowering Liberation Groups:
• Work with the LUU Liberation Student Committee to launch annual liberation
forums where BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic), LGBTQ+, disabled,
mature, part-time and lower socio-economic background (SEB) students can
share ideas and drive real change.
• Establish a practical Liberation Fund to support student-led initiatives, ensuring
that our marginalized voices are not only heard but celebrated.
• Monthly themed dinners where diverse student groups (BAME, LGBTQ+, Faithbased, etc.) co-host and invite everyone to experience their culture, food, and
viewpoints.

Enhancing Campus Facilities & Wellbeing
• Provide 24/7 gym access with tiered pricing so every student can stay active
without financial strain.
• Upgrade computers in libraries and improve audio in large lecture halls.
• Introduce a 24/7 mental well-being chatbot to offer immediate support,
resources, and guidance—ensuring that help is always just a click away.

I will also champion awareness of invisible disabilities and unconscious bias,
ensuring that true inclusivity is woven into every aspect of campus life.
I’ve already proven my commitment: as an Intercultural Ambassador and Intercultural
Communications Intern at UoL, I boosted participation in intercultural projects and
organized events that united diverse student groups. To build on this success, I will
establish cross-functional working groups with university departments and student
societies, setting measurable targets through annual reviews and feedback surveys to
ensure progress is both transparent and impactful.

Join Me in Shaping a Better Leeds!

Vote Yushu for Equality & Liberation Officer – together, we can create a campus where
every student not just survives, but thrives!
#breaking barriers, building bridge

CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Hello, my name is Elizabeth Wafula, a current taught postgraduate student and a school
representative at the School of Law. I’m studying International Law and Global Governance
and I’m running for the position of Equality and Liberation Officer at the Leeds University
Union.
My Agenda is threefold.
First, how do you feel about being clueless about what to do after graduation? It is a question
that many students face today including myself. If elected as the Equality and Liberation
Officer, I would advocate for more partnerships between the university and employment
institutions, networking events, and retaining schemes (where the University can offer
specific employment opportunities to University of Leeds graduates).
Second, how many rejection emails have you received from employers due to a lack of
requisite expertise or experience in the field when seeking part-time jobs? I’m advocating for
free training sessions to be offered by the Union and equal opportunities to be offered to all
students whether experienced or not. Additionally, the LUU should offer more employment
opportunities to students to curb the living cost crisis.
Lastly, I intend to continue with the current Equality and Liberation Officer’s work (Amara)
of ensuring that all disabled and marginalized students have enhanced access to the Campus
facilities and learning materials.
ABOUT ME
I am a qualified lawyer in Kenya who is passionate about helping people access the
opportunities and services they deserve. This has fostered my involvement in activities such
as offering legal aid services where I give free legal advice and representation to
marginalized and vulnerable groups in my community.
I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU: WHY NOT VOTE FOR ME?

Why Me?

An Experienced Candidate

On Liberation Student Committee:
Monthly board games sessions with TransLeeds in Crossroads
Binder library sessions with TransLeeds
Attended meetings to improve inclusivity at the union and beyond

On Activities Executive
Geek Night: The Inclusive Club Night Women & Nonbinary Gaming Day Represented societies at Better Forums Attended regular meetings about grants, disciplinaries, formations and other union legislation!

Additionally founded a society and have been on two committees!

Campaign Statement Points:
Safety: Opening of an LGBTQ+ Lounge in the union, this can be used for societies like LGBT Society for their lunch meetings and also as an information hub (like the commuters lounge). Additionally free blood tests would be invaluable for trans students. Unfortunately many trans people in the UK are forced to take hormones from unofficial sources (known as DIY) due to deep issues in our healthcare system. In order to do it safely blood tests are recommended, however many GPs deny blood tests and private can be expensive.

Continuity: Unfortunately many incredible policies become lost after handover, and some projects
may take multiple years to take off. However, I have worked closely with Amara, the current officer,
over this academic year in my roles as General Interest Rep and Trans Network Lead and as such I
have an understanding and desire to continue the policies started by her if I am elected! To highlight
some of these policies forming the Liberation Student Committee, Sexual Harassment Training for
Committees and the Gender Expression Fund would be great to continue and grow.

Accessibility: I strongly believe that every student at the University of Leeds should be able to access equal opportunities. As such I have a variety of plans to make sure everyone has equal access. An issue often highlighted to me is the need for more diverse therapy options, often queer and BAME students may struggle with conventional therapy and may require a deeper understanding into their issues. Society initiations can often make students uncomfortable and reduce access to societies, as such I would like to launch initiations to make the union’s no initiation policy more widely known and have a guidance document available and sent to all students.. As an autistic student, more dimmer switches would greatly increase my accessibility to areas of campus. Many rooms already have them, but I would like to see more if not all rooms with dimmable lighting.

Why Me? I am very experienced in both how the union runs and what my role would entail. Having served on the Activities Executive, Liberation Student Committee and 2 society committees (having founded one of them), I have a unique understanding! I have run a series of inclusive events such as Women & Nonbinary Gaming Day, Geek Night; An Inclusive Club Night as well as board games and binder library sessions with TransLeeds. Additionally I regularly attend union meetings in my roles, which has benefited me with an intricate knowledge of the University Union.

Why Vote? Now more than ever we need strong trans voices to rise up to the increasing uncertainty
nationally and internationally. However, I cannot be one of those voices without you standing with me
and voting! I can guarantee that if you vote for me I will represent you the best I possibly can! Those
who know me will tell you I always give 100% effort and certainly do so for this role! Thank you for
reading all the way to the end, as a reward scan the QR code to take you to my social media or the
voting page!