Chapter 2
Community and social action
Girls and young women play a big role in their local communities. They stand up for their beliefs and they’re passionate about fairness, diversity and inclusion. In their spare time, they take part in youth groups ranging from sports to music. This helps them develop confidence, skills and a sense of wellbeing and safety outside of school.
Community action
Over a third (36%) of girls and young women aged 7 to 21 helped improve their local area in the last year, while 33% fundraised. In the North, 36% of girls and young women fundraised in the last year compared to 31% in the Midlands.
Across the UK 3 in 5 (59%) supported other people who aren’t friends or relatives in the past year, while 61% donated money or goods. In Scotland, just over half (52%) donated money or goods while in Northern Ireland 67% did.
‘To improve girls’ lives I would set up a charity for young people or for the homeless to give toys, money and food’
Girl, 7-10
‘I think it’s important that everyone in society feels included and like they have the chance to be themselves and do what they enjoy’
Girl, 7-10
Social action
Just under a third (30%) of girls and young women aged 7 to 21 have campaigned for something they believe in over the last year. 34% have done this in London and the South compared to 28% in the Midlands and 30% in the North.
Nearly half (46%) of girls and young women aged 7 to 21 have helped a charity or cause in the past year. In Scotland they’re less likely to have done this than in Northern Ireland (40% compared to 49%).
Disabled girls and young women were more likely than those who aren’t disabled to have campaigned (43% compared to 30%) and help a charity (57% compared to 45%).
In the past 12 months I have…
7-21
Clubs and groups
Looking at girls and young women aged 7 to 21, 70% are part of a club, like a hobby group (29%), sports team (28%) or youth group (13%). Participation in these groups decreases with age. Girls and young women in the North were more likely to be part of a club or activity (71%) compared to girls and young women in the Midlands (66%).
These groups are really valuable to girls and young women aged 11 to 21. They say they get to have fun (66%), make new friends (62%) and learn new skills (61%). They also help them be more confident (51%), feel safe (33%) and allow them to volunteer and make a difference (26%).
Girls and young women of colour and those living in areas of high deprivation were less likely to have fun at these groups (61% compared to 68% of White girls, and 62% compared to 72% living in areas of low deprivation).
Disabled girls and young women were more likely to say these groups help them feel safe (42% compared with 32% who aren’t disabled). LGBTQ+ girls and young women also feel safer thanks to their groups (40% compared to 31% who aren’t LGBTQ+).
Many girls and young women aged 7 to 21 value their group and activity spaces being girl-only. Over half (52%) say they’re more confident being themselves when they’re just with other girls and young women, increasing to 57% for 17 to 21s. Girls and young women of colour were more likely to favour a girl-only space (59%), and it’s important to 47% of disabled girls and young women.
‘I get to learn new skills at out-of-school groups’
Girls, 11-16
‘It's important people are treated fairly’
Girls and young women, 7-21
‘I’ve experienced discrimination’
Girls and young women, 11-21
Diversity and inclusion
From a young age, girls care about fairness and inclusion. Around 8 in 10 (79%) aged 7 to 10 think it’s important to make sure others feel included.
LGBTQ+ and disabled girls and young women aged 11 to 21 feel more strongly that LGBTQ+ people should feel safe to be themselves (94% and 85% respectively). Similarly, 89% of disabled girls and young women aged 11 to 21 think it’s important disabled people have equal opportunities in life and feel included.
Sadly, girls and young women continue to experience high levels of discrimination. This includes 87% of LGBTQ+ girls and young women (compared to 65% of those who aren’t LGBTQ+), 88% of disabled girls and young women (compared to 68% who are non-disabled) and 87% of girls and young women of colour (compared to 67% of White girls and young women).
Girls and young women in the North were more likely to say they’ve experienced discrimination (75% compared to 69% in the Midlands and 72% in London and the South). More girls and young women in Wales also reported this (74% compared to 64% in Scotland and 63% in Northern Ireland).
31% of girls and young women aged 11 to 21 say discrimination made them feel less confident in themselves. In Wales, they’re nearly twice as likely to agree than in Scotland (43% compared to 22%). A quarter (26%) of all girls and young women are less likely to share information about themselves as a result of discrimination.
The percentage of girls and young women who feel confident enough to challenge discrimination is still quite low, but has risen from 14% in 2018 to 18% this year.
‘Because it shouldn’t matter what someone looks like or who someone is attracted to, we are all people and should be treated the same. Because everyone deserves to feel safe in the world they live in’
Girl, 11-16
I think it’s important that…
11-21 yrs
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