Plan Ireland’s new Because I am a Girl website is now live! Following on from success of this Because I am a Girl weekly guest blog, we have created a new website which brings together the blog, videos and more information about the ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign.
We will not be posting new weekly blogs on this WordPress site any more but please check out the new website to view this week’s blog and leave a comment in the ‘Join the Conversation’ box!
See you there!
Shauna comes from Firhouse in Dublin and has just completed her Leaving Cert at Sancta Maria College. At school, she took part in the ‘Schools Across Borders’ programme, which brings young people together from Ireland, Israel and Palestine, as well as organising the school talent show. Shauna spent three weeks of work experience with Plan Ireland where she worked on the Because I am a Girl campaign.
Because I am a Girl I ask … not to be judged by my gender.
Because I am a Girl I believe … girls should join together and help to eliminate gender inequality worldwide.
Because I am a Girl I hope … to travel the world.
Because I am a Girl I wonder … what it is like to be a boy.
Because I am a Girl I dream … of meeting Justin Bieber.
Because I am a Girl I remember … how important my friends and family are.
Because I am a Girl I like … reality TV, my phone and boy-bands!
Because I am a Girl I dislike … hearing girls are not treated for who they are.
Because I am a Girl I feel … grateful for the experiences and opportunities I have had in life.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate… Suistmas (Summer-Christmas) on the 25th of June every year.
Alison Curtis
Alison Curtis presents Phantom 105.2 talk show weekdays from 2PM. Originally from Canada she moved to Dublin in 1999 starting her radio career as a researcher on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show on Today FM.
A few short years later she was producing the breakfast show along with presenting her own long standing music show on Sunday nights on Today FM, The Last Splash. She has presented on several TV3 programs, written for Hot Press, The Herald, Image Magazine and Heineken.ie. She moved to Phantom last year after having her first child.
Because I am a Girl I ask…for all of us to be treated as though we are equal but also for our differences to be celebrated.
Because I am a Girl I believe…we can achieve anything we set our sights on as long as we have the support of those who we love most.
Because I am a Girl I hope…I hope little girls grow up wanting to be little girls and grow into being strong independent women.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…how different things will be when my little girl is my age and I think about how different things were for my mother when she was a little girl.
Because I am a Girl I dream…that we will get to a time where gender no longer holds such influence over someone’s future.
Because I am a Girl I remember…never wanting to be a boy!
Because I am a Girl I like…the freedom we have to have close relationships, to hug, to laugh uncontrollably and to cry no matter who is looking at us.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…when girls feel the pressure to be someone else other than themselves, just to fit in.
Because I am a Girl I feel…we are lucky to feel and experience things that boys will never be able to.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate...that we are different, that we have qualities and quirks that are distinctly girly and that these are often celebrated.
– Alison Curtis
Lisa McInerney
Lisa McInerney is an Irish writer, editor and columnist. She is co-owner of Irish magazine site Ramp.ie, writes regularly for The Journal.ie, and has appeared at literary festivals both at home and in the US discussing new media and its literary possibilities.
She studied English in UCC and as such has a terrible habit of littering her prose with Cork slang, like. She lives in Galway with her husband, their daughter, and an assortment of pets of the hairy persuasion.
Because I am a Girl I ask…questions of everything. Why things are the way they are, why I act the way I do, why certain achievements or compliances or even failures are expected of me. Being born outside of privilege because you’re a girl means seeing the world for its challenges as well as for its opportunities.
Because I am a Girl I believe…in the strength of other girls. I know that my outlook and experiences are not unique and I know that makes me part of a collective of strong, brave and intelligent women. We have compassion, wisdom and ingenuity and we will continue to shape the world for the better.
Because I am a Girl I hope…for conditions for girls all over the world to improve. I can’t say whether luck or fate had any hand in my being born in a country where I had access to education and healthcare and State support, but I know that there is no difference between me and a girl born into a more challenging society, except in terms of external circumstances.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…why everyone doesn’t understand the importance of individual worth, regardless of a person’s gender. I wonder how certain communities can disregard the potential in their female population. I wonder why ancient traditions damage the here and now and I wonder why it’s so difficult to change.
Because I am a Girl I dream…in colour. I see a vibrant future full of possibilities and I know it’s not a million miles away.
Because I am a Girl I remember…moments where I might have been made feel inadequate or insignificant because of my gender, and understanding why that might have happened or what I can do to prevent it happening again motivates me.
Because I am a Girl I like…kick-ass female role models in pop culture, of whom there are more and more every day, and the freedom to adopt different styles, looks and even characters(!) depending on what I feel like on any given day.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…advertising that makes girls feel inadequate, society assuming that if something is exclusively geared towards girls it mustn’t have any cultural value, and the notion that 51% of the world’s population is a minority group with specialist issues!
Because I am a Girl I feel…like I can take on the world. I already know that I am strong, brave and loved; with that knowledge any girl can take on the world.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…every single day. We girls have such an amazing legacy gifted to us by the hard work and determination of the women who came before us, and we have in turn the responsibility to give our daughters an even better future. Pay it forward, as the saying goes.
– Lisa McInerney
Kitty ~ Red Lemonade
Kitty is a Dublin-based graphic designer and blogger, originally from Waterford. She runs her own blog, Red Lemonade, where she rambles excitedly about various bits and pieces of pop culture that catch her eye, as well as lovingly making fun of Sweet Valley High books.
She is also a contributor to popular sites such as Beaut.ie, Ramp.ie and Where’s Grandad? and was listed as one of the “12 New Faces for 2012” by Woman’s Way, which was very nice of them. She has a devastating weakness for bacon fries and Tanora.
Because I am a Girl I ask…that the media stop trying to pit women against each other and that advertisers stop inventing problems to make women feel bad about about themselves so they’ll buy their stupid products.
Because I am a Girl I believe…that Irish women will soon be given autonomy over their own bodies. I mean, it’s 2012 after all, come on lads.
Because I am a Girl I hope…that the day will come when women and girls all over the world will have the same rights and freedoms as their male counterparts.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…when Youth Defence will kindly disappear off the face of the earth.
Because I am a Girl I dream…of owning my own hoverboard. Tick tock, science people.
Because I am a Girl I remember…wanting to be She-Ra when I grew up.
Because I am a Girl I like…smart TV shows with wonderful and funny female characters like those in 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation and Community. And brightly coloured nail polish.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…bullying of any sort. And overuse of exclamation marks.
Because I am a Girl I feel…excited that so many women and men today are proudly identifying as feminists.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…the fact that positive change is coming, slowly but surely, for women in Ireland and all over the world.
– Kitty
Rachel Madden
Rachel Madden currently works in Google as an Online Media Associate. Rachel graduated from UCD in 2010 after studying Business and Legal Studies for four years. After graduating, Rachel spent 6 months as a marketing intern for an Irish online gifts company located in Dublin which sparked her interest in online marketing.
Because I am a Girl I ask…that we take care of the most vulnerable people in our society.
Because I am a Girl I believe…that we are, all of us, capable of great things.
Because I am a Girl I hope…that all children receive an education because education is power.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…if we’ll ever catch ‘man-flu’. Unlikely!
Because I am a Girl I dream…that all women and girls around the world have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams – whatever they may be.
Because I am a Girl I remember…it takes courage to determine who you are and where you want to go.
Because I am a Girl I like…that “a woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…girls not supporting one another.
Because I am a Girl I feel…thankful for all of my family and friends.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…that I can continue my professional career while balancing the demands and responsibilities of being a woman.
– Rachel Madden
Rosie Hand
Rosie Hand is Programme Co-ordinator of the M.Sc. Advertising and Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Digital Communication at the Dublin Institute of Technology. She lectures in Marketing, Marketing Communications, Digital Communications and International Business at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Her industry experience includes areas as diverse as international marketing of textiles and luxury consumer goods; sales and marketing in commercial radio and marketing consultancy in the fields of education, financial services and eco-friendly waste management.
Rosie is currently undertaking doctoral research in the area of emerging organisational competencies in the digital space.
Because I am a Girl I ask…when will all children have equal access to education?
Because I am a Girl I believe…we all have extraordinary potential, unfortunately not all of us have been given the keys to unlock it.
Because I am a Girl I hope…that my children’s future has not been entirely jeopardised by our recent past.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…if we will ever have the courage to create an educational system capable of valuing individual learning styles.
Because I am a Girl I dream…that those responsible for our current economic malaise understand how their actions have impacted directly on our children in terms of increased class sizes and painfully reduced educational resources.
Because I am a Girl I remember…when short shorts were in the first time around – I couldn’t wear them then either!
Because I am a Girl I like…girls’ lunches that finish well after 8pm and the interminable jokes of small children.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…the notion that a successful woman is a ballbreaker while a successful man is just doing his job.
Because I am a Girl I feel…privileged to be continuing my education – I am currently studying for my doctorate – because I am a passionate believer in life long learning.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…all the little things that make up my lucky, lucky life, but god, do I ignore birthdays!
– Rosie Hand
Clara McCarthy
Many people assume I’m a girlie girl yet I love to surprise people by doing things like sky-diving, trekking in glaciers and backpacking for 6 months with the bare minimum (well; 2 pairs of shoes; flipflops and hiking boots). An only girl with three brothers there was never any discrimination in our household regarding chores; all of us mowed lawns, made beds and learned to use the washing machine.
Having an independent and curious streak from an early age meant that much time has been spent exploring new cultures and travelling across the world. Upon finishing university I had a fantastic opportunity to do an international graduate programme based in Madrid for two years. This ignited my desire to visit Latin America. I fell in love with the continent but was shocked by what were considered norms. I felt a duty when I returned to Ireland to get involved with those who are providing opportunities to the world’s poorest communities.
Working for a global organisation like LinkedIn has allowed me, in conjunction with my amazing teammates, to help Plan Ireland to fulfill their mission of providing lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries through a process that unites people across cultures and adds meaning and value to their lives. I have been privileged to see not only the amazing work that Plan Ireland does, but the incredible support they receive from their sponsors.
Because I am a Girl I ask…to be accepted and seen as person first; girl second.
Because I am a Girl I believe…that every person is entitled to the same opportunities; be they male, female, black, white, short, tall etc.
Because I am a Girl I hope…that one day my beliefs will be realised.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…the big things; what does equality mean, will there ever be a world without violence, without war? And the smaller stuff; like why does nail varnish always chip?
Because I am a Girl I dream…of possibilities – for me, for my future children and for the millions of girls and women who have never dared to dream of possibilities.
Because I am a Girl I remember…always wanting to be a grown-up and owning my own handbag.
Because I am a Girl I like…being independent.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…the pressure that is put on women to ‘have it all’ whatever ‘all’ may be.
Because I am a Girl I feel…lucky to have been born to a life of privilege and opportunities.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…the women and men who have got us here and those who are willing to make a difference for what they believe in – and finding the perfect pair of shoes.
– Clara McCarthy
Sarah Harte
Sarah Harte is Media & Communications Officer with Plan Ireland. Sarah went to DCU to study International Business & Languages (German and French) and spent her Erasmus year in northern Germany. In 2005, Sarah took up a marketing position in Tourism Ireland’s Brussels office, a highlight (!) being an appearance on the Belgian equivalent of MTV for St Patrick’s Day and demonstrating her Irish dancing skills (or lack thereof).
On returning to Dublin she joined Business in the Community Ireland, where she worked for over three years in a marketing role, getting to meet lots of wonderful people involved in corporate social responsibility, social inclusion and philanthropy (and Marian Finucane once made her a cup of tea!).
Sarah enjoys travelling, foreign languages, dancing, learning about photography, mexican food, going to the theatre, 90s r&b and rap, cinema, vintage fashion, reading novels and most recently has become addicted to Scandinavian crime drama TV series. She is on the Twitter.
Because I am a Girl I ask…to be treated as an equal. To be independent. To have a voice. To be shown empathy. To be understood. To love and be loved. (Is that a lot to ask for..?!)
Because I am a Girl I believe…that life is beautiful but short. I think that I can sometimes forget this, but every now and then, I remember and feel thankful for all that I have and remind myself that this is not a dress rehearsal!
Because I am a Girl I hope…for the best. I hope that things will get better for those who are suffering and in pain. I hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel for all of those who are fighting disease, struggling against oppression and abuse and for all of those who are going through their own personal battles, whatever they may be. I hope and hope, and know that this is all we really have.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…what life has in store for me. What will I be when I grow up? (I realise that I am 27 years old and “technically” a grown up, but still!) Where will I be in five years, ten years, twenty years? I wonder, and then I stop myself and try to live in the moment and take each day as it comes. It’s tough, though! And the Virgo in me just wants to plan, plan, PLAN!
Because I am a Girl I dream…of a brighter future for young girls across the world. I dream of a world where abuse such as female genital cutting, early and forced marriage and all forms of violence against girls and women, does not exist. Violence against women has been called “the most pervasive yet least recognised human rights abuse in the world.” I am so proud to work for an organisation like Plan Ireland who, through the Because I am a Girl campaign, are raising awareness of these important issues and making a real and lasting difference to the lives of girls in the developing world. Violence against girls and women must come to an end.
Because I am a Girl I remember…growing up surrounded by strong women, my mother, my sisters, my nana, granny, aunties, friends. They helped to shape the person that I am today and have given me strength, courage of conviction and the drive to do my very best. I want to make them proud.
Because I am a Girl I like…family, friends and community. I know they say you can’t choose your family, and although we have our moments (who doesn’t?!), I wouldn’t change mine for the world. It is because of their love and support that I am the person I am today. I don’t take that for granted and I hope I never take them for granted either. Same goes for my second family, my close friends. I honestly can say that I don’t know where I’d be without them to keep my head from falling off sometimes.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…prejudice, ignorance, intolerance, inequality and injustice. Unfortunately, there’s a helluvalot of each of these things in the world. That’s why I think that it’s so important to try to do something, maybe just one small thing, to change things. I truly believe in Martin Luther King Jr’s quote, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends”. Even if sometimes you think “what’s the point?” and feel powerless, everyone of us can make a difference no matter how small. Our time starts…now!
Because I am a Girl I feel…a responsibility to realise my potential and enjoy the rights and freedom I am so grateful to have. I know I have this thanks to many amazing women who fought tooth and nail for it and paved the way before me.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…the small things. There is something in every day that can make it special, no matter how trivial it may seem. I never see the point in keeping something “for a special occasion”, that day may never come, so take out the good china, put on your party dress and crack open the bubbles today!
– Sarah Harte
Three time IFTA award winner, Keelin Shanley works as a journalist in RTE Television and Radio. She currently presents The Consumer Show.
Working with RTÉ’s flagship current affairs television programme, Prime Time, she has made a number of landmark documentaries including Sex Traffic, Cocaine and Saturday Night, Sunday Morning which showed the impact of Irish alcohol use over a 24 hour period.
She has also worked for Radio France International and for CNN World Report. She has covered stories in a number of developing countries including post earthquake Haiti, gang wars in Honduras and the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony’s on-going war in Northern Uganda.
She has won a number of awards for her work including Science Journalist of the Year, Social and Campaigning journalist of the year, a Health Journalism award, a Law Society award and a Radharc award.
Because I am a Girl I ask…a lot of questions. And question a lot of answers.
Because I am a Girl I believe…that women should have more influence on how the country, and the world, is run.
Because I am a Girl I hope…to see an end to ancient practices such as genital mutilation and forced marriages that have such a profound effect on women’s lives from a very early age.
Because I am a Girl I wonder…will I ever be as good a mother as my mother was.
Because I am a Girl I dream…that some of the issues I have covered in my work – sex trafficking, juvenile crime, homelessness – will really be tackled.
Because I am a Girl I remember…what it’s like to be teenager – grappling with the contrasting feelings of always being right, and not actually having a clue.
Because I am a Girl I like…people who care about others, but also about themselves.
Because I am a Girl I dislike…the pressures put on young women today, in terms of their appearance, and their social roles, and wish they were better equipped to see what’s important.
Because I am a Girl I feel…proud to be associated with Plan Ireland and the great work that they do.
Because I am a Girl I celebrate…the life and good fortune that I have.
– Keelin Shanley
Because I am a Girl blog 