Miss Universe Australia 2020 Maria Thattil has always come across as a strong personality and an inspiration for many as she wants her experiences to lead as example for people. With a promise to amplify the voice of many others like her who were once not heard, with her own voice. Maria has always proven to be a force to be reckoned with and there isn’t a ceiling she won’t shatter.

In a recent incident, when Maria was accidently added to a group chat full of boys, she was “disgusted” by the messages that she saw and their attitude towards women. In a series of posts on her Instagram Stories, she shared that she was added to a conversation with 19-year-old boys who were talking about women "like we are pieces of meat".

Thattil shared dozens of screenshots on Instagram from students who spoke publicly about the school’s culture, saying it was “toxic” and there was “an obvious disrespect for women”.

When she immediately called them out on their "sexist" and "misogynistic" messages, only one responded. "I was disgusted to be added to that group chat, I was disgusted to read those messages and disgusted that nobody had anything to say when I called them out on it. Apart from one of the people in the chat," she added.

In response, "They said that they were sorry and they would have a stern chatting to each other". As she witnessed this incident, Maria pointed out, this isn't exactly a new issue. She personally encountered the same behaviour from boys when she was in high school. The diva went on to say that men's "sexist attitudes" towards women aren't just confined to the classroom.

After taking one of the bravest steps on could think of by exposing the boys, and the mental attitude of the society we live in, Maria also met with backlash from those who viewed her stance as making men into villains. The reigning queen also mentioned in an interview how “this is not a women’s issue - this is a HUMAN issue.”

She also mentioned, “Yes, my platform has enabled me to shine a light on this, but it’s not solely up to me to change this. Now it’s up to everyone at home watching this segment, consuming the messages on social media, educators, policy makers, parents, kids, families, friends etc. to spark the kinds of conversation that will change things.”

She shared more of her thoughts as she wrote, “When sexism and misogyny thrive in private spaces, it bleeds into society. The smallest instances of sexism can evolve into larger, more overt, harmful and violent manifestations. We live in a country plagued by a gender based violence pandemic. In response to this situation, we should all be asking, what can we do better? Sexism doesn’t just affect women. It affects transgender and non-binary people, people from the LGBTIQ+ community AND men who actively fight again it because the patriarchal society we live in makes it difficult for anyone who doesn’t comply with toxic ideals of masculinity.”

“People who have exhibited sexist or misogynistic attitudes and behaviour have capacity for change and growth. Call them in, hold them accountable but we mustn’t forget that forgiveness and patience (when we have the capacity and will) is immensely transformative,” she concluded.