Internationally,
women in many countries do not experience the same freedoms and liberties as
women in the United States do. In some instances, women still can’t own land,
ask a man on a date, control household money, or decide when they want to marry
and start a family. In Southern Province, the land of the Tonga’s, many women
is even 2nd, 3rd, or 4th wives. It is common
to be told by a man upon the first meeting that he loves you, wants to marry
you, or wants you to give him a child. Men are expected to pay a dowry to be
allowed to marry. If this isn’t paid in full even after marriage, a woman will
be told to return to her parents until it is covered. Many times during
conversations where I’m explaining about Peace Corps and the work of the
organization and my project and that I’m here alone, people exclaim, “And your
husband gave you permission?!”
As a way to empower and encourage
respect of women, PCVs around the world host Camp G.L.O.W (Girls Leading Our
World). GLOW is an attempt to instill a sense of self-worth in young girls, to encourage
them to respect themselves and their bodies, and teach life skills. We do this through organizing something like
a summer camp for girls between the ages of 11-15 and inviting community
counterparts to attend sessions as well.
In December 2013, volunteers in
Southern Province sponsored a camp. For one week we dedicated our time to
mentoring 16 girls and 8 counterparts. We covered topics such as self-esteem by
providing profiles of successful women like Oprah and Joyce Banda, the
president of Malawi. Girls wrote positive things about themselves on flower
petals and pasted them in journals that they were encouraged to write in so
that they could be reminded of the good characteristics and qualities they
possess. The girls also learned about budgeting, healthy ways to respond to
peer pressure, healthy relationships, and sexual health. They participated in
arts and crafts such as making friendship bracelets as well as doing
team-building activities.
Through programs like GLOW,
volunteers touch the lives of young women in their communities. They’re
exposing them to ideas and topics that are often avoided because they’re
uncomfortable. They’re attempting to raise the next generation of young women
into confident, self-respecting teens and adults. In my mind, children are the
real way that change is going to happen. Whether it’s worldwide or in a small
African village, children are the key to change, development, and to a country
that is filled with strong, independent, and creative individuals. It also
brings about the topic of the importance of women in society and can lead to
mutual respect between genders and within communities and households. A girl
who has expectations, confidence, and knows how she wants to be perceived and
function within a community can be a strong driving force behind change and
development. Lets support our girls as they navigate the obstacle course that
is teendom and encourage a sense of pride in being a woman!
The
Camp GLOW Song by Amanda Eilefson
Girls
are strong
Girls
are smart
Girls
have big hearts
Oh
yeah!
Girls
leading our world
Girls
leading our world
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