The Transform Education Newsletter

Hey Education Transformers! 

Checking in to say: we continue to see your resistance, resilience and creativity. Whether you have been having to take a rest, focus on school or have been able to continue to organize, it is so valid and we stand with you in support. 

Rewind & Getting Ready for Blast Off 

The past months have been a brilliant learning journey and the work we have done has gotten us to a pivotal moment. A moment where we created a space for youth networks actively working in and through education for gender equality in their communities to come together. A space for joint advocacy, capacity growing and solidarity growing. This space, although hosted by UNGEI, is a brave space for youth networks to shape, own and set your agenda to continue to advocate for gender equality in and through education. 

We have convened a sitting guiding group for the next 6 months. This group is composed of representatives of networks who are a part of TE. Meaning for the next 6 months, this group will help us make all of the key decisions for TE (through consulting you!), and put things in place so we can strengthen this coalition. This will be building on the work that we have done. We really see this as an emergent  learning journey.

Here is the plan! 

For the next 6 months we will be launching 2 active working groups focused on SRGBV and Education for Gender Equality and Climate Justice. Each of these groups will be co-led by 2 youth led networks actively working in these areas. Within these groups we will create joint advocacy messages, develop resources, have access to capacity growing opportunities and grow our networks.  We will launch the application for youth networks to join these groups the week of March 1st. 

We will also be creating a Transform Education Strategy which will put in place how TE works, and what our governance looks like. 

International Days

Check out artwork that has been created with Education Transformers for International Days during February! 

International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM  

We collaborated with Natalie Robi from Msichana Empowerment Kuria, who shared 5 different ways to eliminate FGM through education. Education plays a vital role in raising awareness to #EndFGM. Girls feel empowered and have the freedom to exercise their agency when provided with comprehensive sexuality education, training and counselling.

International Day of Women in Science

We met up with girl inventors Fatima & Kiara to discuss the power of girls in STEM through education to achieve gender equality. 

World Day of Social Justice

We teamed up with WONA Collective to mark the power of art for education and gender equality.

Resources & Opportunities

Below you will find opportunities and resources we collect each month for you to learn from and get involved in!

Staying Resilient While Trying to Save the World

A workbook to help young activists strengthen their self-care as we continue to take a stand for human rights.

NGO CSW65 Forum Young Feminist Awards

Check out these grant awards for youth leaders to advance projects and ideas that advance gender equality.

Mama Cash 2021 Grantmaking Window

Supporting feminist initiatives led by and for women, girls, trans, and intersex people from anywhere in the world.

Talk With Confidence: Secure Platforms for Video Calling 

A really helpful guide to foster secure and safe connections in the digital space.

UNGEI and EmpoderaClima teamed up to create an infographic on the importance of girls’ education for climate justice! ⁣Check it out here!

Our first Transform Education Zine! 

Imagine a gender equal world. One without gender based violence, and filled with girls’ potential.  It is a future world where feminist leadership is engrained within education and there are no barries for girls to access quality & safe schooling. What does a school day look like? Who are the teachers and what is being taught? What are girls achieving? What are they inventing when there is no gender digital divide? How does it feel when all students have comprehensive sexuality education? And what flourishes when they've been taught about climate justice? 

We are creating our first Transform Education Zine that is set in this world. It is a gift of hope for young feminist  leaders by young feminist leaders. We are looking for young creative minds to imagine this space with us.  Send us a pitch of a story, poem, graphic, photo, or playlist that embodies what feminisit leadership looks like in this future.

Please send the pitch by March 2nd to educationtransformers@gmail.com. We will be launching this Zine on International Women Day (March 8th). This is a volunteer submission. 
 

Website Launch

UNGEI’s new website has launched! There is a Knowledge Hub with lots of helpful resources for your activism! We will be updating the Transform Education page SOON. So keep a lookout! 

Saying farewell to a Legend! 

Nora Fyles, Head of UNGEI’s Secretariat will be retiring at the end of this month. Nora has been a huge ally and partner with young activists in advancing gender equality in and through education. She has stood by Transform Education since our launch and we will continue to advance our shared mission with the feminist principles she has instilled in us! 

Read a tribute to her legacy here.

As always, please email youth@ungei.org if you have any questions or want to collab further. 

In solidarity, 

The TE Guiding Group & UNGEI