My work as an anti-violence against girls and women activist preceded my anti-prison organizing. I began addressing gender-based violence against girls and women as a teenager. It has been a life-long passion of mine.

Eight years ago, I co-founded the Rogers Park Young Women's Action Team (YWAT) with a group of local girls ages 14-16 at the time. I have previously written here about YWAT which was a youth-led, adult supported social change organization focused on helping young women to address issues of concern to them (namely violence). YWAT disbanded this summer. It ended on a good note for all involved.

I am pleased to share the final product of the girls’ work here today. They undertook a three-year campaign to engage young men as allies to end violence against girls (EYMA). The campaign had several components:

1. Creating a documentary, as part of our research process, that reflected the importance of engaging young men as allies in ending violence against girls and young women.
2. Creating a workbook/discussion guide to be used with the film.
3. Developing a workshop along with young men about how they can be allies in addressing sexism and male violence against girls.
4. Implementing a train the trainer session (2 days) to help allies address gender violence in their own communities.
5. Organizing a young men’s only conference to address the issue of misogyny and sexism (February 9, 2008).
6. Incubating a network of young men who will become allies in ending gender violence.
7. Documenting what we have learned and sharing our findings (2011 and beyond)

Today, the YWAT is releasing their “Engaging Young Men as Allies” toolkit. You can find it HERE. If you work with young men, I think that this resource will be helpful. It includes youth-led research, curriculum units, activities, as well as reflections on lessons learned. Special thanks to the young women of YWAT for all of their contributions to social justice!