We’ve created 31 Actions for Gender Justice to raise awareness, spark conversations and take action that transforms gender and power relations, and the structures, norms and values that underpin them. Every day for the month of March we will highlight an action that advances gender equity and justice for International Women’s Day (IWD).
This is by no means an exhaustive list! There’s so much more that we can do to advocate for political, economic and social changes.
Support Youth Empowerment
31 Actions for Gender Justice: Day 5
Girls and young women are driving change around the globe and we celebrate their accomplishments. But they still face challenges: gender bias, the wage gap, discrimination, gender-based violence, health and safety risks, exacerbation of gender justice during COVID-19, harassment, among many others.
Harmful gender norms impact youth of all genders in Canada, but women, especially women in marginalized groups –Indigenous, Immigrants, Black, gender diverse- are disproportionately affected.
To advance Gender Justice and support youth empowerment:
- Advocate for Indigenous girls who experience poverty, vulnerability to racialized male violence and disproportionate institutionalization in prisons, mental health institutions and welfare placements. “The scars of Indian residential schools continue to have a profound impact on Indigenous youth.”[1]
- Encourage girls and young women to participate in gender equity initiatives and take action.
- Shed light on their challenges and support initiatives aimed at eliminating barriers to education, health care, employment and justice.
- Inequalities and gender bias starts in childhood. Promote gender equity and respectful interactions among children and youth.
- Promote inclusion and diversity at home, at school, in the workplace, online.
- To best support girls and young women, hear their voices. These are only a few ideas of how you can help change perceptions of gender among youth.
- Promote young women’s leadership.
Be an advocate. Be a mentor. Empower and inspire. Lead by example.
[1] Justice for Girls. A Space to Thrive. 2018 Retrieved from http://www.justiceforgirls.org/uploads/2/4/5/0/24509463/a_space_to_thrive.pdf
[1] Justice for Girls. A Space to Thrive. 2018 Retrieved from http://www.justiceforgirls.org/uploads/2/4/5/0/24509463/a_space_to_thrive.pdf
