GirlGuiding New Zealand rolls out education programme on gender-based violence

Thu 11 Jul 2013

GirlGuiding New Zealand is rolling out a six-week education programme on gender-based violence, girls’ rights and gender equality. The programme, ...

GirlGuiding New Zealand is rolling out a six-week education programme on gender-based violence, girls’ rights and gender equality. The programme, Voices against Violence, aims to engage girls, boys, young women and young men. It was officially launched at the 57th session of the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in March.

GirlGuiding New Zealand piloted the curriculum in 2012, along with 19 other member organisations. GirlGuiding New Zealand trainers were then trained to work with leaders in rolling out the curriculum to more girls and young women in the organisation in 2013.

Voices against Violence is part of an wider international campaign led by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS). The Stop the Violence: Speak out for Girls' Rights campaign aims to empower girls to "claim their rights and create a world free from violence and the fear of violence". It is planned thet the training component of the campaign will be rolled out to five million young people by 2020.

Representatives from GirlGuiding New Zealand attended the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women to lobby decision makers on violence against girls and advocate for the United Nations Member States to do more to address the issue. "We can all make changes at a global level by working together to empower women and that is the beauty of GirlGuiding NZ being part of such a large international organisation," said Fiona Bradley, a Ranger leader and GirlGuiding New Zealand’s National Board representative. 

New Zealand was one of 50 governments to pledge to the UN Women initiative 'COMMIT', saying it will take steps to ensure women and girls are able to lead violence-free lives.

Update:

“Voices against Violence” is a co-educational curriculum developed by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and UN Women, with inputs from young people. Designed for various age groups ranging from 5 to 25 years, it provides young people with tools and expertise to understand the root causes of violence in their communities, to educate and involve their peers and communities to prevent such violence, and to learn about where to access support if violence is experienced. - See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/ca/digital-library/publications/2013/10/voices-ag...

Voices against Violence: A Handbook for group leaders was launched in October 2013. It is a co-educational curriculum developed by WAGGGS and UN Women, with input from young people. It is designed for various age groups ranging from 5 to 25 years and provides young people with tools and expertise to understand the root causes of violence in their communities, to educate and involve their peers and communities to prevent such violence, and to learn about where to access support if violence is experienced.

“Voices against Violence” is a co-educational curriculum developed by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and UN Women, with inputs from young people. Designed for various age groups ranging from 5 to 25 years, it provides young people with tools and expertise to understand the root causes of violence in their communities, to educate and involve their peers and communities to prevent such violence, and to learn about where to access support if violence is experienced. - See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/ca/digital-library/publications/2013/10/voices-ag...

Media:

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, GirlGuiding New Zealand, 22.03.2013

NZ Guiding leaders challenge international decision-makers, GirlGuiding New Zealand

Image: iStock