Girl-Up: Advancing Gender Justice!

“If I were to choose one word to describe our collective principle, it would be Empowerment.”, stated Avy Lee, acting secretary for Girl Up, an in-school service-centered Crusader’s club.

Girl Up, a global movement founded by the United Nations Foundation, is a youth-led initiative to empower and advocate for girls' leadership and gender equality. Providing girls with the resources, skills, and opportunities they need to flourish and positively impact their communities, Girl Up focuses on issues such as education, health, and safety. To this end, the club fosters leadership and initiative to collectively work towards creating a society where every girl can reach their full potential.

In a world where socio-political change has been at the forefront of media coverage and conversation, the organization serves a vital purpose in inspiring and educating the youth. Emphasizing inclusivity, they welcome individuals of all genders who express passion for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Their mission to facilitate a more equitable world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of their gender, has paved the means for collective action.

Delving into the Seoul Foreign School chapter of Girl Up, newly instated secretary Avy Lee (11) provided insights concerning their pursuits. Differentiating itself from other service clubs at Seoul Foreign School, Avy notes, “their specific dedication to gender equality and girls' empowerment [provides] a platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions and initiatives that directly tackle issues related to gender disparity” since its foundation in 2017. Aiming to raise awareness to advocate for policy changes within our domestic community, they’ve supported projects that benefit women on a micro and macro scale. Empowering one to invoke action and share their voice, she believes “achieving gender equality is a shared responsibility that involves people of all genders” and encourages greater participation.

Their unwavering enthusiasm and commitment to development have led to significant evolution.

One, by developing a robust leadership structure encouraging members to take the lead, the club has ensured smooth operations and effective pursuit of their goals. All taking on varying roles (i.e., from event coordinators to advocacy leaders), members may contribute via unique perspectives that build upon a shared vision.

Two, forwarding diverse club initiatives through educational workshops, unique fundraisers, and awareness campaigns, they’ve sought to broaden their reach and engage the student body. Namely, they translate their mission to ongoing projects that call upon interest. Examples include the upcoming Monica Doll Project they are holding in partnership with Talk to Me -- a local NGO that advocates for the rights of migrant women -- and their guest speech by a Gyeonggi Do Sports Human Rights Center speaker to discuss with club members about women’s rights, raising questions about what it means to

As they continue their efforts to enact change, their future at Seoul Foreign School is bright and filled with potential. Quoting Avy, “We envision a growing and vibrant community dedicated to positive change.”