To support girl’s engagement in the Beijing+25 process, Paperboat have been working with Plan International to  place girls voices upfront and centre in the fight for gender equality setting out a 'Girls' Platform for Action'. 

This study brings together findings of a consultation process that took place in the first half of 2020 to better understand adolescent girls’ views on the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and to provide a tool for girls’ own advocacy and engagement in the Generation Equality Action Coalitions. What has emerged is a common set of priorities and recommendations expressed by adolescent girls, across the world. 

Over 350 girls aged 14-19 took part in a mixed method consultation process across 12 countries, including: Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Paraguay, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and Uganda. An additional 797 girls engaged with the process via online platforms.

This report is a reflection of the key themes that emerged as priorities for adolescent girls and their demands for action for each of the Action Coalition themes: gender-based violence, economic justice and rights, bodily autonomy, climate justice, technology and innovation, feminist movements and leadership. 

Click here to download the full report 

To mark this years' International Youth Day, Plan International, will be launching their latest report ' A Girls' Platform for Action - A Girls' Agenda for Beijing + 25 and Beyond'. This timely report sets out how Girls' voices must be central to the women's rights agenda and their priorities for change in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Paperboat were privileged to work with Plan in the research and production of the report. 

The Beijing Platform for Action remains the most progressive blueprint for women’s rights. Twenty-five years ago, girls were not key partners in its development. The 25th anniversary is an opportunity to ensure that girls’ voices are heard. Girls from around the world have spoken out - they are clear on what needs to happen to achieve gender equality in their lifetime. In many instances, girls are already leading these efforts in their communities and countries. 
Panelists: 
Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka - Executive Director of UN Women
President Nadine Gasman - National Institute for Women, Government of Mexico and co-chair of the Core Group
Anika Jenne Dorothy (moderator) – B+25 Global Youth Task Force Member
Christine (19) The Philippines – Advocate
Paola (15) Bolivia – Advocate
Lucy (19) Kenya – Advocate
To join the virtual launch on 12 th August register here.  

Paperboat are delighted to be working with Amnesty UK who are in the process of creating their next National Youth Strategy. Amnesty International already has an incredible network of youth and student activists, campaigning for human rights across the UK and their new strategy aims to further this, by engaging thousands more young people on and offline to ensure young people  actively participate and lead on their campaigns, planning and strategy. In November, Paperboat facilitated the first of a series of strategy and consultation activities aimed at examining Amnesty's approach to youth engagement on Human Rights in the UK. Over the coming months there will be opportunities to contribute to the consultation through an online survey and participatory activities - so we can imagine a future where young people lead on protecting and celebrating human rights. To find out more or to get involved contact: frances@paperboat.org.uk 

Paperboat spent some time with the wonderful Vanessa Andreotti and Tereza Čajková from the  Gesturing Towards De-colonial Futures Collective.  The Collective, who have produced thought provoking cartographies, use challenging conversations and powerful embodied exercises to enable insight into de-colonialisation. We enjoyed the opportunity to explore ways of working that are built on solidarity and mutual respect, that recognise privilege, power and discrimination. Acknowledging the legacies of colonialism, to recognise and challenge them, is  an essential first step in building more equal and positive partnerships and social justice movements.   
We particularly like this ‘everything is awesome’ cartography. 

Following last week's International Women's Day, recognising women's vital contribution to peace and development, we are delighted to be able to share the Beyond Consultations Tool. The Beyond Consultations Tool was launched yesterday in New York at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This new tool has been designed to support actors to move towards more meaningful engagement with women in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). All women have a fundamental right to meaningfully participate in the decisions that frame and impact their lives. Despite this, globally, we are failing to meaningfully engage with women living in FCAS on the policies, processes, and programmes that affect them. There is also clear evidence that women’s inclusion in political processes leads to more effective peace and stability.

In 2018, Paperboat were commissioned by GAPS UK and Women for Women International working together with  Saferworld, Womenkind and Amnesty UK to conduct a global participatory research project  with women and women’s organisations in FCAS, in response to their concerns that many consultation exercises tend to be extractive, tokenistic and disempowering. Through this research the Beyond Consultations tool was developed to ensure that women's voices meaningfully contribute to and influence decision-making, to ensure that women's rights and needs are met, and that women’s potential is realised! The tool encourages the full participation of women  throughout all consultation processes so that their rights, needs and concerns are realised in agreements, policies, plans and programmes.The tool is designed to be used as part of a learning process to highlight good practice for the meaningful participation and engagement of women to chart areas for improvement and map progress over time. You can now download the Beyond Consultations tool here!

#BeyondConsultations #MeaningfulParticipation @NoWomenNoPeace & @womenforwomenUK @Saferworld @AmnestyUK & @woman_kind

This International Women's Day we have chosen to spotlight one of our Associates, Marie Francoise Umtoni. Marie has brought Paperboat great insight into women's organising and gender mainstreaming  in Rwanda. What makes Marie stand out is her ability to connect with women’s organisations and to draw out the stories of those women making a real difference, who are often invisible. Marie is a Rwanda based gender and qualitative research specialist. Marie has worked with women's organisations to increase their knowledge of strategic programming and in helping support them to better evidence the impact of their work. Marie has worked across the Great Lakes region with both grassroots activists, development agencies and donor organisations. #internationalwomensday

Womankind Worldwide’s new policy briefing - Breaking the Silence: Ending online violence and abuse against women’s rights activists  - which launched today on International Women’s Human Rights Defenders Day (29th November 2018). A policy briefing shedding light on the reality of online violence and abuse for women right’s activists – and the crucial need to address it in any pursuit for gender equality.

Online violence & abuse is a global issue & affects all women – including women’s rights activists. This #16Days, join the call to #BreakTheSilence & end violence against women & girls online. Read @woman_kind’s latest briefing & share to show your solidarity http://bit.ly/WKBreaktheSilence
 ​

Paperboat were delighted to return to Liberia to deliver a two day training on implementing effective GBV prevention and response services for Kvinna till Kvinna partner organisations.  

Amnesty’s historic campaign Write for Rights is open until end of December. Amnesty run this campaign every year to show solidarity with 12 incredible women human rights defenders standing up against violence, for LGBTI rights, against corporate power and state repression. By taking part in Write for Rights you’ll join others demanding justice for Marielle Franco, a black lesbian councillor who worked tirelessly to support the most marginalised in Rio de Janeiro, she was killed on 14th March 2018 and no one has been charged for her murder. You will stand side by side with Pavitri Manjhi who is standing up to big companies seeking to remover her Adivasi community from their ancestral land. You can read about all the women involved and their cases here.