Student News
The 90 minute, interactive performance was hosted by Nana Aba Duncan, who is a producer for the CBC. Presented as a newscast, Nana interviewed, via video, various correspondents in other countries who informed us of issues facing the girls in those countries. From Haiti we were introduced to Patricia, who lives on the streets of Port-Au-Prince and joined an advocacy group that lobbies the government to uphold women’s rights. From Sudan we met Suku, who is a 16 year old who refused to marry a man she did not know and was then “caned’. She fled and became the chair person for an advocacy group to promote the value of girl’s education and their rights. For girls here in Canada there are some issues too. Masia One, a hip hop/rap musician spoke about her challenges in the male driven music industry. Frustrated by routine attacks on her image, weight & clothing, Masia left us with the message to stick to your own standards, don’t compromise your morals for money, work hard and keep at it. It has paid off for the University of Toronto graduate because in 2003 she was the first women to be nominated for a Much Music Video Award in the category of Hip Hop. Both Nana and Masia One reinforced the importance of education for girls all over the world. Education is the way to be able to get a job and become independent. For those days that students don’t feel like getting out of bed, our guests reminded us of the fact that in other countries education is not an option and unfortunately those girls are caught on the treadmill of abuse, poverty, early marriage and pregnancy and disease. The 411 For Change focuses on equipping young girls to recognize discrimination, stand up for themselves, increase self esteem, decode the beauty myth and to realize we have power to change situations when change is necessary.
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