Girls Stand Strong: Together!
By Keila MacPherson, YWCA Girl's Council
It was another normal Friday and I couldn't wait to get home from school and relax for the weekend. While watching the news I heard about the girl in British Columbia who was drugged, raped, and pictures of the incident were posted all over Facebook. It absolutely disgusted me! I felt terrible for that girl and it upset me that police officials could not do anything about it. It made me feel unsafe and I felt disappointed in our justice system. This story got me thinking about the things that happen to young girls, girls my age, on a daily basis that do not make the news or that remain repressed within the conscience of girls all around the world.
Womyn in Canada have claimed what is rightfully theirs for years since the 1870s. What they have not yet fully claimed is the right to speak up. Some womyn are still treated like they are a piece of meat or treated like they are worthless, expendable resources. Anything that puts womyn down, exploits them, or makes them feel vulnerable can be considered acts of violence; the same as bullying or racism. If a woman cannot feel safe in her own community or home, where can she feel safe? Womyn can prove to society that they can accomplish so much when their full potential is reached.
This strength needs to come from a sturdy social foundation that can be acquired in a girl's teenage years. However, teenagers nowadays are cruel to each other for any reason they can think of. Girls call each other names for standing up for what they believe in. Boys see that as an open gate that says "they're doing it to each other, so we can call girls names too". Well, I have had enough of name-calling and cat-fights! It is degrading to girls of any age in every way!
Since when has it become a competition to see how much skin can be shown in a Facebook profile picture? And girls wonder why guys, and other girls, call them those mean names…it is getting out of hand. Some girls do not realize what messages they are sending out when they dress certain ways. Some do realize this, but that is their choice. My point is that any girl in society should be getting respect, and if they need to have others to support them, they are just as strong as any man! There is strength in numbers and it is definitely not a sign of weakness.
I have had many experiences of being called names, mistreated by past boyfriends, even mistreated by my girl friends. I never let them keep me down, but I had a hard time opening up when I felt unsafe. It is hard for anyone to open up, but it's hard for girls to open up. There is always a fear of being judged, or blamed for their problems. I know people who have been through a lot, and they are still struggling, but they can always find support with loved ones and friends. There are many events for young womyn to get together and become aware, such as the White Tiger conference in London, ON. It was the most fun I ever had with such a large group of girls!
My guidance counselor suggested the conference to me, but she also directed me to Kaitlyn McQuaid and the YWCA Girl's Council of Cambridge. The Girl's Council is all about girls ages 12 - 18 coming together, sharing their experiences and just having a good time together.
Girls need to be more aware of how they are being treated and how they could be treated if they allow it. It is not right to endure anything that makes you feel unsafe. Not all violence is physical and that needs to be acknowledged. The YWCA Girl's Council of Cambridge will be all girl power, support, confidentiality, and zero tolerance for judgment. So far it is a great experience, and I think it will be for everyone on the council!
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