Full Circle Education, a Cardiff-based social enterprise have launched the first Manifesto for Girls’ Rights in Wales at the Senedd, home to the National Assembly for Wales.
The event was sponsored by Assembly Member Julie Morgan, with over one hundred guests in attendance to learn more about the challenges facing girls and young women in Wales.
The launch gave attendees a chance to hear from young women themselves, who spoke passionately and eloquently about the challenges facing girls. Pupils from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr in Cardiff gave a presentation on the feminism group they have founded in school, Newid Ffem, to address issues such as sexism and sexual bullying, highlighting practical ways other schools and youth groups can create positive change.
Three young women from schools in South Wales presented their experiences as girls growing up in Wales, highlighting the everyday sexism and harassment they encounter, and the need for better education on gender equality issues in schools.
Cait Whitley, age 17 from Porthcawl Comprehensive said: “Today proved that finally someone was willing to do something for girls, all over Wales and started a discussion that girls have wanted to engage with for a long time. I want to continue that discussion, to shine the light forward for girlhood. Before we are mothers, daughters, wives – we are girls, and that should guarantee our respect regardless. Full Circle has proved that someone is willing to fight for that respect.”
Sixteen year old Megan Golledge, a student at St. David’s College in Cardiff said “’Not only is the content of the Manifesto important, but also the mere existence of it. The acknowledgement of the struggles that girls face in Wales will inspire people all over the country to get involved in tackling these issues, and will hopefully have a positive impact on girls everywhere.”
Maisie Allen, a sixteen year old student at Y Pant School said “I feel passionately about the launch of the girls’ rights Manifesto because it gives me hope that the next generation won’t face as much discrimination in school or the workplace, and that we can continue to create a better, more equal society because it’s so important that everyone’s voices are heard.”
The event also gave attendees a chance to learn about a recent research study completed by global children’s charity Plan International UK. Plan UK, supported by WEN Wales, the Women’s Equality Network, presented their seminal and groundbreaking research ‘The State of Girls’ Rights in the UK‘ and included research on Wales.
The research explored the best and worst places to be a girl in the UK, and found that Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil were the worst places in Wales for girls and young women to grow up.
Lucy Russell, UK Girls’ Rights Campaign Manager for Plan UK said. “We know from our own findings that too many girls in Wales are not enjoying their rights.
“Girls are facing harassment every day – in schools, online and on the street.
“Full Circle’s Manifesto for Girls’ Rights is welcome recognition that girls’ rights need to be put at the top of the agenda.”
International Day of the Girl
The event was held in celebration of International Day of the Girl, and was supported by the Big Lottery’s Celebration Fund, which aims to support organisations and groups to host celebrations in their communities. International Day of the Girl is a UN-led day which aims to champion, celebrate and support girls and young women across the globe.
The Manifesto for Girls’ Rights was developed by Full Circle in response to their work with young people across the country and internationally. Full Circle regularly hear stories concerning girls’ lack of rights, gender inequality, sexism and sexual harassment and other issues that stop girls – and boys – from reaching their potential.
Nikki Giant, Director of Full Circle Education shared why the manifesto was created. “We hear stories of casual sexism, inequality, sexual harassment and gender stereotyping every day in schools across Wales. Many of these issues go ‘under the radar’ of adults, or are accepted as the norm.”
“We need to raise girls’ rights as an agenda in Wales, and the launch of our Manifesto is a call to action across the country, to gather politicians, leaders, schools, organisations and young people to take action to ensure Wales is a fair and equal nation.”
The Manifesto draws on the voices of girls and professionals, gathered from workshop sessions, focus groups and a survey of over 600 young women in Wales. The Manifesto for Girls’ Rights explores 5 key themes for girls and young women; the right to:
An Education – Although girls tend to perform better than boys in school, the long term picture isn’t so great. Girls need impartial careers advice, gender-neutral learning environments, and education about key issues that affect them, such as health and well-being, sex and relationships, politics, and financial literacy.
A Voice – To create long-lasting change in Wales girls’ voices must be heard. Too often there are a lack of leadership opportunities for girls, with their voices going unheard about key issues within their community.
A Safe Community – One in three girls and young women are likely to be the victim of violence and domestic abuse in their lifetimes. Girls deserve the right to live free from fear of harassment, violence, and abuse in every home, school and community.
A Fulfilling Future – Too many girls in Wales still hold stereotypical ideas about careers and their future potential, with limited aspirations leading to cycles of poverty. Girls need to meet inspirational female role models, practical careers advice, and have opportunities to aspire to their potential.
Freedom of Choice – Girls are bombarded with unrealisitic images of beauty and perfection on a daily basis, and are faced with a barrage of negative messages about what it means to be a twenty-first century girl. Girls in Wales deserve the freedom to choose their own beliefs and values about their gender.
What Is It Like To Be A Girl In Wales?
Full Circle asked young women what it’s like to grow up as a young woman in Wales. Fundamental Rights: The Voices of Girls in Wales is the first survey to comprehensively question girls and young women to gain an insight into what it’s like to be a young female growing up in Wales. Over six hundred girls completed the survey from cities, towns and villages across the country.
The results are concerning: only 7.5% of respondents feel there is enough support for girls and young women in Wales. 59% of girls do not perceive themselves as having the same rights and opportunities as boys and young men. More than half of respondents (55%) stated there are not enough positive role models for young women in Wales.
Full Circle asked girls and young women what it’s like to grow up in Wales, and the issues they face. Girls reported that the main issues they experience are body image concerns, with 91% reporting this as problem, worries about passing exams (86%), pressure to achieve and do well in school (80%), mental health problems (75%), sexism (70%), sexual harassment (65%), and struggling to fit in (60%).
The full report ‘Fundamental Rights: From Feminism to Fashion, Sex to Stereotypes: The Voices of Girls in Wales’ and the Manifesto for Girls’ Rights in Wales can be downloaded from Full Circle’s website at www.FullCircleEducation.org
