ENGAGE
ENGAGE (Empowering the Next Generation about Gender Equality) is a program designed to empower, enlighten, and educate young girls, and it encourages critical thinking, leadership, and sisterhood. Mass. NOW, along with the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women, founded this program to provide a forum for girls to talk about the issues that affect them and their community.
The curriculum is comprised of eight, one-hour sessions and is easily integrated into the programming for any girls’ after-school youth center. Seven of the sessions take place at youth centers, and they include discussions and activities on the following topics: (1) body image and the media; (2) anti-bullying; (3) LGBTQ awareness; (4) healthy dating; (5) economic and labor rights; (6) political and community involvement; and (7) women and sports. The remaining session encourages civic engagement through a field trip to City Hall or the State House.
Mass. NOW and the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women have presented this curriculum to the preteen girls’ group at West Cambridge Youth Center. Our goal is to expand to other local youth centers, which can administer the curriculum on their own and request resources and guidance from Mass. NOW, as needed.
To find out more, contact massnow@massnow.org.