After reading How to Think Like an Activist by Wendy Syfret, it hit me just how many phases there are to activism, and how little things can go a long way, too. Making an effort to educate oneself is very important, and with our technology nowadays, it’s accessible to more and more people, making it easier to learn. With technology, it’s also easier to find likeminded people and form a community – all voices are valuable. Reading about how social media has given people a platform, who for so long, didn’t have one, was definitely striking for me.

After watching Girl Connected, I immediately felt inspired. The issues tackled in the film, child marriage, teen pregnancy, self defense, the right to an education, independence, self expression – they’re all so incredibly important. The film left me wanting to learn more, to do more. It made me think a lot about my own privileges, and what I can do for my own community. I really hope that those young women are still pursuing their dreams, and I sincerely wish them all the happiness and luck in the world. It was an honor just to view the work that they do!

At the same time, thinking about just how many preventative measures have to be taken in order to survive as women in this world is upsetting. I wish things were different, and I also want there to be even more of an emphasis on educating men on these issues as well, not just women. Most, if not all (honestly, all) of these issues originated and are still being held up by the patriarchy and misogyny in our many systems around the world. Men need to do their part, and educate themselves, too.