Rotterdam Girls, challenge Rotterdam

1
Rotterdam Girls, challenge Rotterdam

• Sylvie Raap, Scala

2
Scala Rotterdam

• Scalas core business is the emancipation of
  women, focusing on empowerment via stimulating
  participation in all levels of public life. The
  work ranges from research, monitoring,
  advisory- at all levels of public life and
  organizing conferences. Our work is predominantly
  concentrated in and around the city of Rotterdam

3
The Project Framework

• 2006 16.610 girls in the category 13 to 17
  years.
• These girls are from diverging cultural, ethnic
  and religious backgrounds.
• Binding factors are growing up in Rotterdam and
  their future perspectives.
• The city council as stated in its youth policy is
  on paper willing to facilitate the development of
  its young people. However in practice, it seems
  that when looking at the specific needs of young
  girls, local policies fall short.

4
Task

• In July 2006 Scala was asked by the city
  councils department of Youth, Education and
  Society to do an overall study into what in
  Rotterdam is necessary to enable young girls
  between the ages of 13 up to and 17 years to
  become aware of (A) their independent position
  and (B) their opportunities in society.

5
Specific areas

• For the purposes of this study we decided to
  focus on four specific areas
• School drop-outs
• Sharing the load Domestic responsibilities in
  the family context
• Teenage parenting
• Forced marriage

6
Recommendations

• Scalas goals are
• to ensure their formulated recommendations will
  result in more policy proposals that will benefit
  young girls in Rotterdam. This in turn will lead
  to more projects that will make a significant
  contribution to improving the position and future
  opportunities of young girls in Rotterdam.
• To structurally place the needs of young girls in
  Rotterdam high on the policy agenda.

7
different levels

• Literature
• Partners Council for young people in Rotterdam.
  (RJR)
• Professionals Meetings with professionals
  working in Rotterdam.
• Policy Existing policy documents were evaluated
  and new policy aims were formulated. The outcomes
  of these meetings have been reviewed under the
  target group.
• Young people Together with the RJR, Scala
  interviewed 400 young girls. Focus 4 specific
  study areas and the issues that the professionals
  raised in the meetings.
• DVD
• The main outcomes of the study have been made
  into a DVD.

8
Methods

• It became clear during the research fase of the
  project that the three groups we talked to, young
  people, the professionals and civil servants all
  felt the need to communicate with each other on
  this issue. All parties however felt that the
  lack of relevant materials on this issue was a
  problem. Suitable material was lacking.
• The dvd Rotterdam girls challenge Rotterdam is
  Scalas attempt to solve the problem voiced by
  young people, the professionals and civil
  servants.
• The ideas and experiences of several groups are
  examined. Moreover the dvd have been put together
  that these can be used in a or several lessons as
  discussion material.

9
Finally

• The experiences gained during the implementation
  of the project have led to the developments of
  new projects in 2007. Both Scala as well as the
  Council for young people in Rotterdam have begun
  spin-off projects. These are also aimed at
  permanently placing the needs of young girls in
  Rotterdam high on the policy agenda.