Footage Foundation Expansion Empowers Leadership and Connection for Young Women in NYC and St. Petersburg, Russia

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite an increasingly divided world there remains a sense of unity in shared hardships, joys, and triumphs amongst everyday people.  This unity, and transatlantic commonality between American and Russian young women is but one of the goals of the innovative Girl-Talk-Girl Program created and conducted by Footage Foundation. Started in 2014, and now expanding to reach more young women, Girl-Talk-Girl increases communication, about gender-based violence (GBV) using a mobile phone application redesigned by girls in the program. Now awarded a scale-up grant by the U.S. Department of State, Girl-Talk-Girl is escalating its efforts in connecting the young women from two cities, New York and St. Petersburg, Russia.  The expansion is launching with a comprehensive toolkit available for download on the Girl-Talk-Girl website, and for distribution to NGOs globally. As a whole the toolkit and scale up creates an innovative program which empowers new mobile digital storytelling leaders in both cities who are connected with each other, and have a greater understanding of the other country. Through leadership development it is hoped that a new generation of women leaders will emerge with a deeper understanding of the humanity that connects all of us.

This toolkit includes examples of stories, such as Z, who focuses on the issue of catcalling and harassment while exploring a new part of the city.  It expands on how these stories can be creatively conveyed through this unique medium by emphasizing use of camera angles and music. The toolkit also contains discussion points to engage participants in both the stories, and to help them consider GBV on a broader scale.  The most remarkable aspect of the toolkit is its global focus. Available in both Russian and English, the toolkit reminds people that GBV is not isolated to any one person, or any one nation; rather, it affects women everywhere. By starting these dialogues, Girl-Talk-Girl reminds young women that they are not alone in their experiences, and gives them an opportunity to reach out to others who share in their circumstances, and hopefully find solace and comfort in the global community. 

SOURCE Footage Foundation

Related Links

http://www.footageyouth.org