Gender Equality
Gender Equality as a Human Right
An intersectional approach to gender equality is necessary if we want to make change for everyone. In the introduction to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, or CEDAW, the United Nations General Assembly said the following:
"Recalling that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity."
Here are some resources concerning gender and human rights:
"Recalling that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity."
Here are some resources concerning gender and human rights:
- Australia is the only liberal democracy without a federal human rights bill
- Australian Human Rights tracker:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child
Advocating for Gender Equality
When you know you want to advocate for gender equality at your school, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are some organizations and campaigns that can help you become an advocate!
1. Schools may like to participate in White Ribbon’s ‘You can ask that’ program. I’ve included a description from a program leader below:
‘A week prior to the workshop date the students are sent a link to an anonymous survey. In this survey they can ask questions they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking in an open forum and answer multiple choice questions which help us understand their experiences and barriers to playing a role in the prevention of gender-based violence. Through the use of scaling and multiple-choice questions, we also take survey of behaviours they might see around them, barriers for intervening when they see problematic behaviour, and incorporate their experiences into the workshop discussions so the content is relevant, applicable, and student led.'
2. Alternatively, you may like to go down the route of fundraising for a local, national, or international organisation promoting gender equality.
There are a range of organisations schools could work with — shelters, domestic violence outreach orgs, orgs helping girls access education internationally, etc. Think about what kind of organisation you’d like to fundraise for, do a bit of research, and get in touch if you need any help!
One example of an organisation you could work with is Best Foot Forward (part of the Edmund Rice Foundation). Find out more info here: Schools - Edmund Rice Foun dation (erf.org.au) and here: Walk for Edmund - Edmund Rice Foundation (erf.org.au)
3. I’m sure many of you are aware or have participated in the She’s Someone Campaign.
For a bit of an idea of what the campaign entails, look here: She's Someone 2021 - Aquinas College or here: She’s Someone | Edmund Rice College
4. You could also fundraise to buy birthing kits from this foundation.
After you purchase them, you organise an assembly of students who will put the kits together to be sent to people giving birth that do not have access to a clean and safe environment. Here’s the website home page: Home - Birthing Kit Foundation (bkfa.org.au) I did this in high school, I would absolutely recommend it. Contact us if you would like to discuss doing it at your school!
5. Caritas is the Catholic Church's international aid and development agency in Australia.
They have several programs, resources, campaigns, and volunteering opportunities, including a focus on women's empowerment.
Here is a link to more information about Caritas Australia
1. Schools may like to participate in White Ribbon’s ‘You can ask that’ program. I’ve included a description from a program leader below:
‘A week prior to the workshop date the students are sent a link to an anonymous survey. In this survey they can ask questions they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking in an open forum and answer multiple choice questions which help us understand their experiences and barriers to playing a role in the prevention of gender-based violence. Through the use of scaling and multiple-choice questions, we also take survey of behaviours they might see around them, barriers for intervening when they see problematic behaviour, and incorporate their experiences into the workshop discussions so the content is relevant, applicable, and student led.'
2. Alternatively, you may like to go down the route of fundraising for a local, national, or international organisation promoting gender equality.
There are a range of organisations schools could work with — shelters, domestic violence outreach orgs, orgs helping girls access education internationally, etc. Think about what kind of organisation you’d like to fundraise for, do a bit of research, and get in touch if you need any help!
One example of an organisation you could work with is Best Foot Forward (part of the Edmund Rice Foundation). Find out more info here: Schools - Edmund Rice Foun dation (erf.org.au) and here: Walk for Edmund - Edmund Rice Foundation (erf.org.au)
3. I’m sure many of you are aware or have participated in the She’s Someone Campaign.
For a bit of an idea of what the campaign entails, look here: She's Someone 2021 - Aquinas College or here: She’s Someone | Edmund Rice College
4. You could also fundraise to buy birthing kits from this foundation.
After you purchase them, you organise an assembly of students who will put the kits together to be sent to people giving birth that do not have access to a clean and safe environment. Here’s the website home page: Home - Birthing Kit Foundation (bkfa.org.au) I did this in high school, I would absolutely recommend it. Contact us if you would like to discuss doing it at your school!
5. Caritas is the Catholic Church's international aid and development agency in Australia.
They have several programs, resources, campaigns, and volunteering opportunities, including a focus on women's empowerment.
Here is a link to more information about Caritas Australia
Internationally Recognized Days/Weeks
You may find it easier to structure your campaign around an international day/week of recognition. Here is a non-comprehensive list:
October
October
- 01/Oct International Day of Older Persons (A/RES/45/106)
- 02/Oct International Day of Non-Violence (A/RES/61/271)
- 05/Oct World Teachers’ Day [UNESCO] ((27 C/INF.7))
- 07/Oct World Habitat Day (A/RES/40/202 A)
- 10/Oct World Mental Health Day [WHO]
- 11/Oct International Day of the Girl Child (A/RES/66/170)
- 17/Oct International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (A/RES/47/196)
- 24/Oct Disarmament Week, 24-30 October (A/RES/S-10/2 (p. 102))
- 24/Oct United Nations Day (A/RES/168 (II))
- 06/Nov International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (A/RES/56/4)
- 10/Nov World Science Day for Peace and Development (UNESCO 31 C/Resolution 20)
- 16/Nov International Day for Tolerance [UNESCO] (28 C/Resolution 5.61)
- 19/Nov World Toilet Day (A/RES/67/291)
- 20/Nov World Children's Day (A/RES/836(IX))
- 25/Nov International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (A/RES/54/134)
- 26/Nov World Sustainable Transport Day (A/RES/77/286)
- 03/Dec International Day of Persons with Disabilities (A/RES/47/3)
- 05/Dec International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (A/RES/40/212)
- 10/Dec Human Rights Day (A/RES/423 (V))
- 18/Dec International Migrants Day (A/RES/55/93)
- 20/Dec International Human Solidarity Day (A/RES/60/209)