Susan Smith is impressed with Girlguiding Scotland's plan to unleash a new generation of well-informed, radical young women to change the world
It is the biggest uniformed youth organisation in the country and despite its old-fashioned reputation, Girlguiding Scotland’s latest initiative promises to put it at the fore-front of feminist action.
The charity has launched Action for Change, which will see it work with young women to help them learn how to change the world through digital communications, influencing decision makers and engaging the media.
Young women in the UK and Scotland face huge challenges as the rising incidence of mental health issues highlights. The latest Mental Health and Wellbeing among Adolescents in Scotland report found an increase from 28% of 15-year-old girls with abnormal emotional problems in 2010 to 41% in 2013.
What is great about Girlguiding and why it continues to be hugely important is that it gives young women the space to explore these issues, away from boys, parents and teachers
In fact, according to Girlguiding’s Girls Attitudes 2015 survey, mental health issues are the biggest concern for young women today, ahead of bullying, not being able to get a job, drugs or sexual health issues.
The focus the media puts on young women's bodies means two in five 17 to 21 year olds feel under pressure to stay slim to have a better chance at job interviews, 27% believe they have to wear high heels and 25% believe they’ll be more likely to get a job if they wear make-up.
The annual Girls Attitudes Survey uncovers the big issues facing young women from self-harm, eating disorders, gender stereotyping and the influence unrealistic images of women in the media and the prevalence of pornography have on girls.
In 2015, 81% of girls said they have experienced some form of everyday sexism.
What is great about Girlguiding and why it continues to be hugely important is that it gives young women the space to explore these issues, away from boys, parents and teachers. That they are able to recognise everyday sexism in such high numbers is a testament to its success, and something that differentiates them from previous generation of more oppressed women.
It is great to see so many young women proudly calling themselves feminists and looking for ways to address inequality in society.
However, while many girls in 2015 said they do speak out through social media, online petitions and raising awareness of issues they care about, more than a third said they don’t get involved in community or social action at all. Only tiny numbers said they had been on demonstrations or written to a politician. And sadly, three in four young women aged 11 to 21 said that they didn’t think politicians listen to young people enough.
Through this new project, Girlguiding Scotland is addressing this reluctance and hopes to create the largest girl-led advocacy network in the UK. It's a great project that has the potential to unleash a new generation of well-informed, radical female voices who will make politicians listen.
Susan Smith is editor of Third Force News.
