Take Action:

Social change happens because people like you and your friends take action.

As you know, women and girls face a combination of legal barriers, social and gender norms, lack of access to political power, and lack of economic and social
resources. The challenges can seem overwhelming, frustrating, and at times enraging. But you can do something about it. You can decide to make a difference.

This chapter outlines concrete actions that you can take to jumpstart your own action plan for effectively advocating for women and girls, and will help you use the power of connection and organizing to make an impact. It will give you tools to start conversations and campaigns about the need for change and the need to be engaged.

What you do adds to what millions of others do every day, in ways large and small, to advance the status of women and girls. This includes:

•     Advocating for new laws and repealing outdated ones

•    Helping to make programs and services more responsive to the needs of women and girls

•    Working to ensure that women have the tools they need to succeed at work and that they are able to work in a safe environment

•    Fighting for girls’  ability to study what they want

•     Organizing your neighbors to address an issue in your community

•    Raising your voice at work and in your community when you see a practice that impedes women’s progress or is unfair