Girl Up Group – UNiTE to End Violence Against Women

The 25 November was the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women’. The day marks the beginning of a 16-day campaign called ‘UNiTE to End Violence against Women’ which ends on the ‘International Human Rights Day’ on December 10. The campaign was initiated in 2008 and is led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women. At TISB the campaign has been observed by the Girl Up group, a student-led club that works for the empowerment of girls around the world. We got ahold of some of the Girl Up leadership team to find out more about the work of the group. 

We are very excited for the projects we have planned for the upcoming year – Ashna, Grade 11, Girl Up President 

The TISB Girl Up group stands up for girls and promotes programmes that empower them. Girl Up aims to achieve this through activities relating to fundraising, advocacy, spreading awareness and organising. Gender-based violence is something that the Girl Up club plans to tackle next year, for example through a project that teaches young girls self-defence tactics. “It is important to commemorate the UNiTE campaign simply because we, unfortunately, do not live in an equal world where women do not face violence solely due to their gender”, says Anushka, Vice President of the Girl Up club. 

The timeline and platforms for Girl Up activities may depend on the pandemic situation, but the group are planning a bake sale and spirit week as a fundraiser, and then conducting a future pathways seminar for underprivileged girls, to help them understand the different options available to them after graduation. “Alongside our projects, our club meetings are a safe space to discuss anything our members wish to, even controversial topics”, explains Ashna, President of the club. “We also plan to have exciting guest speakers address our club and are aiming to create an even larger impact with the help of the Karnataka collation that we are a part of”, says Ashna.   

The Girl Up club is open to students from grades 6 to 12. All interested, both girls and boys, are welcome. The Girl Up clubs around the world aim to achieve gender equality, using advocacy, fundraising, storytelling and organising to make a difference. The TISB Girl Up club meets every Thursday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. For more information and updates, visit the TISB Girl Up Instagram account.