The workshop was part of the Young Women’s Leadership Forum, a meeting of the World YWCA Council, and was presented by Alice Waweru, Development Executive, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS), who is based in Nairobi, Bernadette Fishler, Communications Officer and Irene Rojnik, WAGGS HIV/AIDS Project Consultant who are based in London.

The group of young women discussed the definition of advocacy, what it is and what it is isn’t. The definition included themes of “advocacy is speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves, changing legislation, talking about issues, raising awareness, participation and rights.” The three pillars of advocacy presented were speak, do, educate. It was noted that only when all three are present do you have an advocacy initiative or campaign. The team shared that one must speak about what should change, do something whether a letter writing campaign a march or an event, and finally educate people about the issue.

In addition to the discussions workshop participants had the opportunity to build practical skills using the building blocks of an advocacy campaign. The building blocks that were passed on by WAGGS; key message, target groups, hooks, tools and allies, workshop participants role-played presenting elevator messages to key people. The exercise was centered around pretending you were stuck in an elevator with someone who could do something positive to change young women’s body image and empower them. They were to state who the person was that they were passing on their message to, three main points about body image and empowerment, a question that would deliver a yes answer ie. Don’t you think that it is important for girls to feel good about their bodies? They also shared a personal story, and then repeated a very strong key message. One partnership presented to the owner of the Curves fitness chain in their local city, and requested free memberships for their participants.

Overall the group came up with several recommendations to pass on to the rest of the forum. Speak- ensure that your topic is clear, and topical, that it is honest and that you are prepared, speak with confidence and empathy and that you live as you learn. Do- ensure that your actions are assertive, say something you mean, lead by example, ask for help, remember to delegate. Educate- Have a clear message, teach dynamically to the needs of the particular target group. Be positive, be confident and follow up.

The WAGGS team certainly passed on some effective tools for young women to take up the challenge to roar like might pack of lions.