This past week, I was lucky enough to be a part of a global event. Along with five other VHS senior girls, Lynn Keating, Gabby Discafani, Alex Szilagyi, Jane Spardel and Olivia Newkirk, and chaperoned by Dr. Marie Meyer, I attended a world conference at the United Nations for the 57th Commission on the Status of Women.
We joined thousands of other women and men from around the world to discuss issues pertaining to violence against women. Topics included polygamy, honor killing, the media’s portrayal of women, child marriage, sexual harassment, FGM (female genital mutilation), trafficking, the role of religion, education equality, and many others.
Invited by the Feminist Majority Foundation, we were able to attend this global event through Girls Learn International. In its first year at VHS, the club GLI focuses on advocating for equal education as a solution to solving gender inequality. It is a well-known fact that if girls in developing countries are able to go to school, they will be educated on their rights as women, and that they can use their knowledge to become empowered while they are still young girls. Whether they avoid prostitution, refuse to be circumcised, or just realize their potential, educated girls are stronger women.
Commuting to Manhattan each morning, we arrived at the U.N. and listened to panels, participated in discussions, revised national statements, and met amazing people. Victims, authors, U.N. diplomats, former presidents, and concerned students from many different countries united to brainstorm solutions to the issues women face globally.
Although many people might think that the term “feminist” is an insult, advocating for feminism is advocating for human rights. An idea often belittled by people who believe women’s rights are compromised only in third world countries, what Girls Learn International hopes to promote is the idea that the victimization of women can be everywhere. From sexist jokes to de facto rules and ignorant ideologies, nowhere in the world are women equally treated.
Closer to home, part of the problem is the lack of male involvement. Many of these foundations no longer wish to preach to just a choir of women. By educating men about the degradation of women through the media, and the parts they can play in equalizing rights, women hope to solve the problem. Men, whether they are aware of it or not, are perpetuating the misogynistic culture in which we live. It is mostly men who are responsible for rape, trafficking, polygamy, enforcing sexist religious customs, and many more atrocities that occur every day. Instead of shunning men and blaming them, another theme of the CSW was to invite men into the journey to end gender inequality.
Another theme of the commission was what you can do in your home town. While there were representatives from all over the world describing their own issues and needs to ensure gender equality, a main point of the conference was to educate people around you. Tell people about honor killing and treatments of widows in developing countries, but also inform them about the media’s negative influence and prostitution right here in the United States. People will be surprised what they learn.
For the VHS senior delegates, the experience was positive and inspiring.
“I saw all these people whose lives were destroyed-especially those of young women-stand up with such strength,” said Gabby Discafani. “They inspired me to learn more about feminism and how I can be a part of its new movement.
Agreeing with Gabby, Lynn Keating said she, “finally grasped what it meant to be a feminist.” She plans on taking what she learned and use it to advocate for women’s rights in Verona.
The VHS chapter of GLI is hoping to educate the town, and we invite new members to join us in the fight for gender equality.
Attached is a link from the United Nations in which fellow GLI member from Montclair High School, Theresa Leone-Meyer, (daughter of English teacher Dr. Meyer) delivers a statement to the General Assembly.
