Meet With Your Leaders to present the Girls’ Bill of Rights
We’ve created an adapted version of the toolkit so you can take action on the Girls’ Bill of Rights virtually. To access it, click here.
1. Research decision makers in your community that can influence policies affecting girls. In some places, this might be a school official, a member of your government, a cultural leader, or someone in charge of youth development in your community. Consider approaching decision makers who would be open and accepting to the Girls’ Bill of Rights to aid your cause. You can team up with other girls to do this!
2. Contact your decision maker (DM). The approach you take will be different depending on your access to the person. You might approach a school official directly in-person and ask for a meeting. On the other hand, you might approach a government official indirectly by contacting their office (via phone or email). You can ask for an in-person meeting or a virtual meeting where you can use free platforms like Google Hangout to share your screen and walk them through your presentation. We’ve put together email templates for you. When contacting your decision maker, keep in mind the following:
Introduce yourself and include why they should care about what you have to say. For example, you can say that you live in the community they represent or are a student at their school.
Be direct and explain that you would like to present the GBOR. During this meeting, you hope to gain their commitment to upholding the GBOR.
Provide an approximation of how long your presentation will take and a date(s) in the near future that you are available to present.
At the end, confirm the best way to contact your decision maker.
3. Decide how you want to make your presentation: through a speech, a computer with Google Slides/Powerpoint, or through photos and posters. Your presentation should cover:
An explanation of the Girls’ Bill of Rights. Here’s everything you need to know.
The importance of the Girls’ Bill of Rights for girls in your community.
Local support for the GBOR. This can be collected through a document where people in your community can sign their support to the GBOR.
Suggestions on how the decision maker can uphold the Girls’ Bill of Rights. They can be related to implementation of the Girls’ Bill of Rights overall or target a specific right. Here are some ideas:
The decision maker introduces the GBOR during to other DMs
The school or community pledges to adopt the Girls’ Bill of Rights
Create a gender equality board where girls and boys alike can report issues and seek advice for gender-related issues
Organize a sexual and reproductive health and rights workshop.
Create a positive cultural practice that celebrates girls.
Identify a safety officer that girls can approach when they feel unsafe.
4. Prior to your meeting, reach out to your decision maker to confirm details about your meeting, including location, time, and access to anything you may need (like a computer if you are doing a presentation). If you are meeting virtually, send along instructions on how they can join.
5. Create a checklist covering your tasks leading up to the meeting and for afterwards. You should include checking the travel time to the location, bringing your script, and other materials (like if you printed the Girls’ Bill of Rights) for your presentation.
6. Practice your presentation in front of others. Time yourself to make sure you’re keeping it short. Be open to constructive feedback to help make your pitch and delivery perfect.
7. On the day of your meeting, wear something that makes you feel confident. Review your to-do list to make sure you’ve covered everything. We’ve put together this doc to inspire you right before you walk into the room!
8. Reflect after your presentation. What went really well? What would you change? Make notes of them while it’s fresh so you can return to them when pitching to your next decision maker.
9. Send a follow-up note to your decision maker. This should include answers to any questions they had or reiterating commitments they agreed to.