We are Equal
The equation of equality.
Equality Day, April 17.
The White Ribbon is used to represent the end of Violence Against Women.
Many may wonder what this is about, and the first thing that pops up into their head may be simply just "violence" or "getting equally paid," but there is a lot more to it.
On this day, the school day will end at 1:00 PM and students will have the chance to meet up, discuss, and experience what inequality is and what it would be like to be of the opposite gender. The usual talk of violence will be present, but other interesting facts and examples will be shown and conversed about. Come out to the meeting this April 17, 2015!
We are Equal
Friday, Apr 17, 2015, 01:00 PM
Rick Hansen Secondary School, Dream Crest Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
The Agenda of Activities
1:00 PM - 1:10 PM - white ribbons will be handed out to all students attending the meet.
1:10 PM - 1:30 PM - briefly discuss about how much is known about equality between genders, and which topics are most brought up.
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM - all students will switch genders and be given a scenario that they will act out or discuss in groups.
2:00 PM - 2:40 PM - students will stop their scenarios, and present to the rest of the groups their scenarios or what they have discussed.
2:40 PM - 3:00 PM - treats will be given to all students that participate.
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM - the TED talk video "A Call to Men" will be shown while green cards get signed.
More details on what's happening at this event...
1:10 - 1:30 - Brainstorming about equality and the first things that would pop into one's mind will allow all students to start thinking about equality and inequality. They will state what gender equality seems to be in their minds and how it will be restricted to only violence, abuse, and unfair income as these are the most known ideas when thinking about inequalities.
1:30 - 2:00 - As students switch their roles, they will realize that there so many everyday acts that show inequalities towards men and women, like how parents treat their kids, depending on their gender, and how friends treat each other. Students will realize that there is a lot more than just violence, even though this is also a major issue regarding gender equality. They will discuss how they would normally, on the top of their heads, act out the scenario but then also act out the right thing they should do.
2:00 - 2:40 - Once all groups are ready to perform their scenarios or tell the rest of the members about their given situation, as a group, the students will all converse about the way people treat each other unfairly even in the least, most unexpected ways.
2:40 - 3:00 - Whoever participates a lot in the discussions will receive a treat for their ideas and thoughts. This will encourage students to participate and say their opinions.
3:00 - 3:15 - the TED talk video will further enhance the members' understandings on gender equality as well as the "man box," something Tony Porter, the man in the video, refers a lot to.
The Goal
- Did you learn something new or think about something that has not crossed your mind before when thinking about equality?
- Has this made an impact on you?
- Will you tell your friends about this?
- Will you teach your kids in the future about this issue and treat them the way we have discussed is right?
Depending on the raise of hands for each question, we will be able to find out if this meeting was effective and able to increase understanding of this world issue.
By checking how many students stayed until the end of the event, it will prove how many students were actually interested or cared about the problem. Moreover, by checking the amount of participation, we will be able to verify the amount of people who understand what is being said and who is familiar with the ideas, demonstrating their knowledge. Lastly, by asking the four questions, we will be able to see if we made an impact on the students and if they feel more informed now compared to when they first came to the event. Overall, I believe this event will be educational and will further increase understanding of equality and how we must make a change.