Supporting Feminist Youth-Led Research and Practice for Transformative Change

Colonial, patriarchal systems often exclude the voices of young women and girls, particularly from the Majority World, perpetuating traditional power imbalances where decisions about what constitutes facts and whose voices are valued are often dictated by a select few. There’s a pressing need to dismantle these power structures and uncover the truth beyond biased narratives.

For example, traditional research approaches prioritize degrees and titles over feminist values, hindering progress towards more inclusive and representative research practices. Often, when young women are engaged either as researchers or as participants of the research, it is often through processes that are extractive and/or tokenistic. Redressing these imbalances requires methodologies and approaches that ask tough questions and help us understand the world. 

Recognizing that ‘knowledge is power’, feminist research methodologies emphasize the inclusion of diverse forms of knowledge, valuing lived experiences alongside academic knowledge and broadening our understanding of who qualifies as an ‘expert’. Experience has demonstrated these more participatory, inclusive evidence gathering processes that are central to feminist research methodologies have resulted in data that is owned by communities and used by these communities to advocate for their rights

‘he who has knowledge has the power… he who tells the story has the power (or she in a feminist world!)… and it’s really about shaping the perspectives of young people for them to change and dismantle that colonial perception and that systematic perception that young people can’t be academics’  Yande Kalengo (14:56 – 15:17)

Currently, we are facing a major global backlash against gender justice and the restriction of the rights of women and girls. This resistance can manifest in various forms, including on and offline harassment and legal restrictions on their activities. Internal barriers within organizations, including resistance to relinquishing power and redefining roles, pose significant challenges. Overcoming these barriers requires self-awareness, introspection, and a willingness to challenge deeply ingrained norms and practices.

‘Some of the barriers are actually sitting in our organizations. Because we are so used to doing things the way we have been taught, and the way we have learned it, and the way that ‘works’ according to us, that we forget that it’s not about us. This whole thing is not about us, not about donors, not about what our goals and mission and vision are as an organization… it’s actually outside.’ Suchi Gaur (36:22 – 36:50)

Young feminists engaged in digital activism face similar barriers and retaliation, stymying their efforts and creating a hostile environment for advocacy. While increasingly taking up space online has allowed feminist youth movements to easily communicate, strategize, and find community, digital platforms and social media sites have introduced security and safety threats disproportionately facing young women and girls but also LGBTQIA+ community and gender minorities, such as online gender-based violence or tech-facilitated violence, censorship, and surveillance.

The significant lack of funding reaching young feminist activists and movements profoundly impacts their ability to carry out their work effectively and can limit their long-term sustainability. Where funding is available, it often comes in the form of one-time grants or restricted project support – the flexible, core funding that will truly make a difference is even harder to acquire.

A lack of funding does not only threaten the efforts and sustainability of feminist youth-led initiatives, but can limit the ability of young women and girls to have their voices heard. For example, a lack of funding for young feminists to attend international conventions and workshops means that young activists frequently find themselves excluded from influential forums where policies and strategies are discussed and formulated. This exclusion not only silences their voices but prevents them from using their knowledge to advocate for themselves and hold powerful entities accountable. Additionally, failure to provide financial compensation to young women and girls who complete surveys or participate in focus group discussions can prevent young feminists from participating fully and safely in these critical discussions and having their voices heard.

The bottom line? ‘If you’re going to utilize the expertise of young people and their lived experiences you need to fairly compensate them’ (Yande Kalengo, 46:50 – 46:46). This is not only important in terms of fairness but also a recognition of their value contribution. Young feminists must be compensated for their time and expertise, and have access to (adequate) funding for their work. Compensation is crucial as it aligns with the principles of feminist research, equity, and justice, and helps mitigate power imbalances between researchers and participants. This approach acknowledges young people’s expertise and lived experiences, fostering a co-creative process rather than a one-sided extraction of information.

‘(Paying young feminist researchers and research participants) is really aligning with the principles of feminist research – equity and justice – and it mitigates power imbalances between researchers and participants because it’s a co-creation process whether you’re the researcher or the participant we’re not here to just take your information and put it out there we’re here to actually amplify your voices and make sure that you have a safe space where you can express yourself.’ Yasmina Benslimane (28:23 – 28:48)

Safe spaces, both physical and digital, are essential for young feminists to come together, share experiences, and collaborate. These spaces must enable organizations to learn from one another by fostering a culture of learning and a willingness to test and make mistakes. To ensure an environment of mutual support and solidarity, these spaces should be free from harassment and discrimination. Advocating for legal protections that safeguard the rights of young activists is essential. Governments should enact and enforce laws that protect activists from harassment, violence, and other forms of retaliation. 

Another critical aspect of creating safe spaces is addressing burnout and mental health, as the demanding nature of feminist work necessitates collective care and support. The issue of burnout and mental health in the sector is significant, affecting many young feminists. During the dialogue, our panelists emphasized the need for self-care, setting boundaries, and recognizing the taxing nature of this work.

‘Fighting the patriarchy and pushing a feminist agenda is going to be taxing work and it’s very important that we’re taking care of ourselves and as a community embodying collective care. Because the system is designed to burn us out, to make us give up, to stop pushing, because it’s the status quo. So just to say yes, it can be demoralizing, it can be draining, but just ensure that when you’re doing this work … that you’re taking care of yourself and you’re doing your advocacy in a safe way and in a way that protects your well-being’ Yande Kalengo (1:10:29 – 1:11:07)

Feminist and/or youth leaders and movements are working on addressing some of the world’s toughest issues. Breaking silos and working together to address shared challenges is essential to driving long lasting change. Collaboration between organizations, movements, and activists across borders and generations can enhance knowledge exchange, resource sharing and collective action, strengthening the impact and sustainability of feminist research and advocacy efforts.

For example, building partnerships between nascent intersectional youth movements and more established organizations can facilitate a meaningful two-way exchange of information where more experienced activists and movement leaders can share ‘tried and tested’ strategies for advocacy, while younger activists and movements can contribute with their fresh perspectives and innovative, out-of-the-box strategies and solutions.

Intersectional youth must be trusted and supported to lead! Horizontal, equitable partnerships grounded in trust are essential to ensuring meaningful collaboration and collective action.

Ensuring consistent and adequate funding can significantly bolster the sustainability and reach of feminist initiatives. To be sustainable in the long-term, funding must be core, flexible and accessible, with streamlined application processes to ensure that young activists can easily apply for and receive financial assistance. 

Funding for must be made available for travel support (ie. for young feminist researchers to present at conferences) and for training to equip young feminists to effectively lead their movements (for example in advocacy, digital literacy, and leadership). Mentorship is another critical aspect of support for feminist youth-led movements. Established organizations and senior feminists can provide guidance, advice, and networking opportunities, helping young feminists navigate the complexities of advocacy and activism. This mentorship can support young leaders to build their confidence and enhance their ability to navigate challenges and leverage opportunities.

‘Yes financial compensation is important, but the funding has to come with mentorship, the funding has to come with guidance. It’s not just like throwing money at us and be like okay go do your research – like it’s great to trust us, I love that, but you have to align with feminist principles of you know care and compassion and support and empowerment and being here through every step of the way with us.’ Yasmina Benslimane (30:31 – 30:52)

Organizations need to redefine their roles in the international development sector, moving away from traditional models of ‘empowerment’ towards facilitation and platform-building. This entails relinquishing power and embracing a collaborative, supportive approach that centers the voices and agency of marginalized communities. Shifting organizational roles in this way involves listening to the needs and priorities of young activists, providing them with the tools and resources they need, and stepping back to allow them to take the lead. 

‘It’s time we play a different role in the development sector because that’s not what the role of the organizations should be. Our role should be facilitator, our role should be as a bridge builder, our role should be a platform to make things happen rather than doing things on our own’ Suchi Gaur (37:09 – 37:26)