Year 7 & 8

WHAT IS GENDER INEQUALITY? THE BASICS

Gender stereotypes, gendered language and sexual harassment are a daily part of life for young people, yet these are not easy topics to address.

This talk is an age appropriate, inclusive and engaging introduction to what gender inequality is and how we can start to challenge it in small, yet meaningful, ways.

Looking at statistics, unpacking gender stereotypes, and considering how gender inequality shows up in the media we consume, this talk supports Year 7 & 8 pupils to make the connections between seemingly harmless attitudes and experiences of sexual harassment.

What is the aim of the workshops?

Our workshops are designed to give pupils the time and space to explore difficult topics of gender inequality and have critical conversations about them in a structured, safe environment with our experienced and engaging facilitators.

What is the workshop format?

1hr 15 - 1hr 30 | Max 35 Pupils per workshop. Generally we can run 6 workshops in one day (with 2 or 3 workshops running at a time). Our workshops can only be facilitated in person due to the nature of the content and style of facilitation.

Who facilitates the workshops?

Each workshop is led by 2 expert and experienced Bold Voices facilitators. The facilitator role is to support and safeguard pupils during these conversations, ensuring that a space for critical thinking and discussion is maintained throughout the workshop.

What if we have Sixth Formers that we’d like to be involved as mentors?

We have seen great success with training up Sixth Formers as mentors to work alongside our facilitators during workshops with younger pupils. Please enquire for more info!

WHAT IS GENDER INEQUALITY?

Example of content covered:

• Gender Stereotypes: Assumed roles within the home e.g. mum as caregiver

• Attitudes/Language: Gendered insults e.g. "that's so gay"

• Structures: Social media e.g. TikTok trends

• Sexual Harassment: Pressure to send nudes

HOW WE TALK ABOUT GENDER: SHAPING OUR WORLD WITH OUR WORDS

• This deep dive session examines whether the language we use is more informed by gender stereotypes than we realise.

• Through exploring the gendered insults and compliments we use, this session encourages pupils to consider how the language of power mirrors gendered language, and how our language reflects the wider culture of gender inequality that we see in the world around us.

GENDER INEQUALITY ONLINE: WHAT WE LEARN FROM WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

• This deep dive session encourages pupils to apply a gendered lens to the pop culture that they consume (social media, music, TV, films).

• Pupils will gain the skills to think critically about what they consume, and to understand the role of the digital world in amplifying a culture of gender inequality and gender-based violence.