Overview/Purpose:
Students will understand why addressing issues facing women and girls can have a lasting impact on other pressing global issues.
Guiding Questions:
- What is a root issue?
- Where and how are root issues reflected in Sustainable Development Goals and the UDHR?
- How can addressing issues faced by women and girls help have a positive overall effect on their communities, countries and the world?
Materials:
pens/pencils, poster/drawing paper, markers or colored pencils, writing paper or notebook for journaling
Technology Required:
none
Lesson Design:
- Begin by asking students to discuss possible explanations of the idiom: What is the root of the problem in teams, small groups or pairs.
- Then instruct them to illustrate with images one of the following specific examples of the idiom or one of their own:
- One of the roots of the problem of ocean pollution is the consumption and ways in which we dispose of plastics.
- One of the roots of the problem of poor attendance in school is the frequency of recurring illnesses.
- One of the roots of the problem of poor health in communities is the lack of access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Share and discuss illustrations. Check for understanding.
- Explain to students that they will now begin to consider how the category of Women and Girls is a root issue underlying greater global problems.
- Identify for students issues currently facing women and girls from the following list, from Global Citizen.
- Access to Education
- Employment Opportunities
- Reproductive Health & Rights
- Maternal Health
- Gender Based Violence
- Child Marriage
- Female Genital Mutilation
- Water and Sanitation
- Gender Equality
- Assign specific issues from this list to groups/pairs/teams at your discretion.
- Present students with the following questions: What do these things have to do with women and girls? How can addressing these issues have a positive impact on families, communities and the world?
- Have them journal their thoughts before engaging in a larger discussion with their peers.
- A representative from each group shares their initial thinking with the class.
- As an exit ticket, have students note the issue(s) about which they are interested in learning more on a post-it or index card.
Teacher Note:
Please use issues from the Global Citizens list that you find most appropriate and engaging for your grade level and class.
Rock Your World is a program of Creative Visions
Rock Your World is a Program of Creative Visions, a 501(c) (3) organization that supports creative activists - individuals who use the power of media and arts to create positive change in the world.
