Girls’ right to equal rights!
Can you imagine that for years women in Europe and in many other places of the world weren’t allowed to work or vote and did not have the same rights as men? They fought really hard for their rights, to be independent and be able to choose how to live their own lives. Though, still today a gender gap exists! Join us in this unit to increase your awareness in this topic and learn what to do when discrimination takes place.
Warm up
With your buddy, think of situations in which girls are not usually considered (like for playing football after school). Why not? Why is it unfair?
Learn
Hey buddies, it’s time to meet our main character today: the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)!
A convention is an agreement between countries to behave a certain way.
In CEDAW governments around the world have agreed to eliminate discrimination against girls and women.
But what is discrimination against women/girls? It means treating girls and women different from boys and men in ways that prevent them from enjoying their rights. Sounds awful, right?
Alright, the basics are covered. Now click here to learn more about CEDAW!
Dive in 1
Take a piece of paper and with your buddy, write down:
- At least 5 situations in which women/girls in your community might get discriminated against. Have you ever witnessed such discrimination?
- Who discriminates them?
- Are there winners and losers in such situations? Who?
Next, make a brainstorming and write down all ideas which come to your mind!
- Who can help protect women from discrimination in these situations (tip: local institution, a court, the police, an organisation, politician etc.)?
Done?
Now be very concrete:
- What can be done to prevent such discrimination OR to address a situation of discrimination?
Dive in 2
Time to step into someone else’s shoes! Let’s practice your acting abilities!
Step 1
Take a look at your notes from the previous task and identify:
- the person being discriminated and the specific situation* (tip: at school, in the shop, work)
- the person who discriminated against her
- the institution who can help them solve the problem
Step 2
Assign those roles among yourselves and look for a third person to involve!
Step 3
Action! Take time to choose roles and step into character. Perform a 5-minute play.
Step 4
After the roleplay, reflect on how each of you felt in your role. How did you feel about:
- being discriminated against;
- being rude to somebody;
- helping a girl or a woman.
Create 1
Write a letter/e-mail to your future self in which you reflect on:
- How you feel about discrimination?
- What would you advise your future self to do/not to do when you grow up in order to eliminate discrimination against girls and women?
Create 2
Imagine that you and your buddy have the power to change laws and policies.
Write down a list of 5 or more recommendations in which girls and women in your community can be more included and less discriminated against.
To which government officials would you send it? Mention them in your recommendations. Spread this information among your peers, family and teachers.
Have it uploaded in the work.it area and make your voice heard!
Reflect
Choose the most important point that you are taking away from this unit, for example: What has surprised you the most? What would you like to remember?
Create a postcard showing your point(s).
Download the free KIDS4ALLL app and your wish comes true!
