PROJECT GEN EQUALITY
“Future generations will judge us not by what we say, but what we do.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Generation Equality is an initiative by HerWILL where young interns aged 17-18 learn various hard and soft skills through collaborative courses with Microsoft, Google, etc and through webinars taken by the changemakers of HerWILL. The courses offered range from Financial Literacy, Salary Negotiation, STEM, Microsoft Office etc. Not only that, every week the interns are given assignments/projects to do such as writing reports as a team. The goal of this initiative is not only to teach students skills required by today’s fast paced economy but also to make them aware and be part of relevant social issues such as women empowerment. Moreover, they are given expert advice according to their life wishes be it career,marriage,family or relationships,taught office etiquette , learn social,life,people skills through interactive zoom sessions. After their internship tenure, the best and the most proactive students will be fast tracked to the HerWILL paid internship program. Through this programme, we hope our interns learn that it’s never too early or late to be a groundbreaker and help the world be a more peaceful and harmonic place to live in.
While the past generation may have remained silenced, the newer generation is always open to experiment and looks forward to experiencing change and creating buzz. This generation is making a sound- both women and men, girls and boys are speaking up for themselves and specially for those who have been silenced, stigmatized and shamed for far too long. With such cohorts on the move, projects like Generation Equality will see the beam of light , something which is still agonizingly too slow even in this fast tracked digital world.
UN Women’s Generation Equality campaign demands equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls, health-care services that respond to their needs, and their equal participation in political life and decision-making in all areas of life. HerWILL believes in the power of collective action and adds voice to UN’s campaign to amplify impact through a set of activities via its own programme HerWILL for Generation Equality.
HerWill’s Generation Equality Internship program is an intense 7 weeks interactive program- an initiative by HerWILL where young interns aged 17-18 learn various hard and soft skills through collaborative courses with Microsoft, Google, etc and through webinars taken by the changemakers of HerWILL. The courses offered range from Financial Literacy, Salary Negotiation, STEM, Microsoft Office etc. Not only that, every week the interns are given assignments/projects to do such as writing reports as a team.The goal of this initiative is not only to teach students skills required by today’s fast paced economy but also to make them aware and be part of relevant social issues such as women empowerment. Moreover, interactive sessions highlighting topics such as core values, importance of clear communications, pondering upon mental health, taking accountability through life & leadership etc.
Generation Equality Internship 2021 started with 11 dynamite, young souls full of opinions and ideas. Among them are the potential change makers, the philosophers, artists, writers, entrepreneurs- through which they wish to implement equality, the unbiased practice in every dimension of life, to break the stigma that is holding the women back from reaching their full potential.
These youth found out their hidden talents, unexplored areas, opportunities they thought weren’t for them. They pushed their limits, working on tasks they thought they wouldn’t excel at. Explored their creativity even if they earlier believed it wasn’t their cup of tea and now this is what they want to flaunt!
HerWill takes immense pride in these youth and believes in positive ripple effects their thoughts and action will create.
Lead for GenEquality Program: Nurjahan Rupa
Strengthening a team to become more cohesive and work better together in harmony – something that was vital for a program like Generation Equality, that too executing all virtual. So comes Nurhjahan Rupa, a business psychologist/human resource professional, perfectly fitting in designing & planning the execution of HerWill’s first ever GenEquality program.
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Rupa holds a MSc in Business Psychology and so far has worked in several profit/non-profit, tech organizations. She takes pride in working with the psychology society which made her volunteer for numerous counselling sessions both in Bangladesh & Malaysia. Interestingly, her passion for psychology has assisted her in interacting well with the GenEquality’s interns, listening and catering to them as per their traits as well as helping them to explore their unexplored arenas by providing fantastic various sessions throughout the program.
Rupa is an explorer; not only in a sense of psychology but as an explorer of the world. So far, she has travelled to 13 countries and wishes to grow the list as it goes. Exploring has helped her to discover the diversity the world has to offer, the many angles of various communities, its people and its culture. She believes getting to discover and knowing the diverse culture has made her more empathetic, optimistic
Umayma Rahemin Zubin
Generation Equality Intern at HerWILL
Umayma Rahemin, a student at Scholastica, is determined to try her hardest to make a change in the world, whether it be through her ability to make informative content, graphic design, or take charge of a group and delegate tasks accordingly. She has experience in research,communication, customer service, outreach, and social media management. In addition to that,she has been in several leadership positions which strengthened her strategic and critical thinking and helped build confidence in herself.
Ahnaf Amin Pranto
I’m Ahnaf, a 12th grader studying in Scholastica looking to build a successful career.Currently, I’m enrolled in two internship programs hosted by S.P.E.E.D (from ascent group) and HerWILL. (Generation Equality Intern). I spent my childhood abroad in Jordan, where I first discovered my passion for gaming and computers in general. Since coming back to Bangladesh back in 2008, I have indulged myself in learning about how computers work and in recent years have taken a liking to photography.
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I managed to win 3 photography competitions and my talent in the media sector has attracted many to offer me jobs in various events and promotions. Cooking is also something that I have opted to learn as well recently and I have been trying to refine my skills on it. However, it always felt like I was lacking something and I was striving to find an answer to that. I feel like the internships that I have joined are extremely helpful for my career and will definitely make me overcome my shortcomings.
Ariya Mashiyat
Ariya Mashiyat, a student of Scholastica who is currently pursuing her Advanced Level Examinations, strives to conquer a career in STEM as a research scientist, in the field of either microbiology, oncology or genetics. She prides herself with a strong academic background but nonetheless, she believes that it is imperative to have an equally strong extracurricular background as well and hence, she has experience participating in a lot of activities, with the current one being a gender-equality intern at HerWill Global—a non-profit organisation based on empowering women—and as the head of research and content writing for cancer together Dhaka—an organisation which endeavours to spread awareness regarding cancer.
Maliha Anjum
Maliha Anjum is currently a student at Scholastica, Dhaka, Bangladesh, studying for her A Levels. She is presently working as an intern at HerWill, an organization that aims to elevate talented women for better opportunities. She availed this internship through the summer program offered by her school.
Zuhaer Aranya
With a steadfast belief in learning and gaining knowledge, Zuhaer has driven himself towards new experiences and challenges, both in the long-standing aim to better himself and to contribute to the betterment of the community. The goal for Zuhaer has always been to make the best of given opportunities and time. He believes that life is too short and unpredictable. Hence, it is our duty to live it to the fullest, listen to our hearts, and leave no stone unturned. Travel, music, cinema,literature, art, physics, sports, are some of the things that fascinate Zuhaer. A person of many interests, he longs to experience every possible aspect of life and truly live boldly and enjoy time on this planet.
Eliza Tahmida Sultana
Eliza Is a passionate and dedicated person whose instinct lies in strategic planning and hard work. She believes in democratic leadership as it teaches her the true value of being a leader,in taking responsibility and understanding her team to make every project a success. After High school, she aims to specialize in accountancy as dealing with numbers intrigues her. Till then, she’s welcoming new challenges with open arms to keep her productive and use her time efficiently.She has attended conferences like Scholastica MUN in 2016,2017 and 2018’along with completing ALOHA (Mental Arithmetic) with good results. Other achievements include getting selected as a peer leader for Critical Thinking Course 1 and Inter-school activities like science fairs.
Ethina Emma Islam
Generation Equality Intern at HerWILL
Intern at University Placement Services (Scholastica SRU)
Ethina Emma Islam is a student at Scholastica SRU in Bangladesh and a candidate for A2 Level examinations. She hopes to study Biochemistry and Psychology at the University of Toronto. She has also grown an interest in bioinformatics and data science while doing her internship at HerWILL. She aims to become either a psychiatrist or do research-based work depending on which pathway she decides upon through her University journey.
RAYISA ZAMAN
Student of Scholastica Senior Uttara and an intern under the GenEquality program launched by Her Will.
Rayisa has recently signed up for Her Will organisation’s first ever GenEquality program under the shadow of UN Women’s Equality Manifesto. As a beginner, she intends to acquire familiarity with the ongoing professional developments and enhance key skills through curated digital courses in order to make most out of the opportunities the world has to offer. The digital courses have evoked intrigue towards content creation and development, branding, data science, creative designing and Rayisa anticipates to explore these in near future.
Rituparna Ghosh
GenEquality Intern at HerWILL
Ritu crafts every moment into simple yet fascinating short films through the lens fusing with bits of hard work, especially about the topic which needs to be raised. With about 7years of experience in the field of Performing Arts, she has developed her script writing abilities, storytelling methods, and stage fright during high school plays and directing over the past few years.
Sadika Binte Arif
Sadika is an enthusiastic learner, who is currently an intern at the Gen equality program of Herwill, where she is learning and enhancing her skills. In addition she has the opportunity for gaining knowledge on various important topics. Also, she is an active member, working as a research and content writer for Cancer Together Dhaka, where she gets the freedom and access to show her writing potential and also educate herself on in-depth knowledge of Cancer.
Generation Equality Sessions
Generation Equality 2022
WHY GENERATION EQUALITY
UN Women’s Generation Equality campaign demands equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls, healthcare services that respond to their needs, and their equal participation in political life and decision-making in all areas of life. HerWILL believes in the power of collective action and adds voice to UN’s campaign to amplify impact through a set of activities via its own program, HerWILL for Generation Equality.
STORY IN NUMBERS
GENERATION EQUALITY PROGRAM LEADS
GENERATION EQUALITY PROGRAM LEADS
Nurjhan Rupa: Nurjahan Rupa is a Business Psychologist and Human resource specialist bringing immense value to HerWILL’s GenEquality initiative as a Program Lead. Having keen interest in understanding psychology she can easily connect with the interns regardless of differences in personalities or perspectives. Her encouragement takes the GenEquality interns one step ahead towards exploring new abilities aligning with their career aspirations. Through visiting 13 countries she is familiar with varieties of cultures that are diverse in nature which makes her more aware, open minded and empathetic.
Tahiya Islam: Tahiya Islam is a HerWILL lead with an extensive involvement in voluntary activities. With her passion for uplifting the society she along with her friends founded Aim Initiative Foundation to ensure underprivileged children’s education, healthcare, and skill development facilities. Tahiya also advocates for generation equality, gender equality, and mental health issues. With the vision of working with women who support each other she got involved with HerWILL. Her love and enthusiasm for writing lets her comfortably express herself while living by the philosophy of “Live and Let Live”.
Rehab Ar Rahma: Rehab-Ar-Rahma is an MBBS graduate, holds a Master degree in health economics and is in charge of HerWILL’s community outreach activities. She got involved in HerWILL with the vision of combining efficient strategies from the standpoint of social entrepreneurship. She is also a certified bridal makeup artist who has adoration for poetry, music, and literature. Rehab also strives to be a social inclusion activist, working for the disadvantaged groups and speaks up for their rights to opportunities.
HerWILL GENERATION EQUALITY PROGRAM
HerWILL aims to create a digitally empowered generation equality. A one-stop resource hub for targeted learning & mentoring to develop professional & leadership skills and create a highly-skilled talent pool for high-paying opportunities to advance their economic empowerment. Our goal is to get women out of their gender-biased roles and empower them to make more creative, intellectual, and professional contributions in multiple fields in Life and Leadership for the new generation. Raising awareness and creating the next generation of advocates of gender equality, generation equality, economic stability, human rights, financial independence, and mental and emotional wellbeing are some of the major key focus areas of this program. All the sessions are offered virtually (as of now) via interactive workshops and activity based sessions by subject matter experts.
WINNERS
Maisha Azad Ahona: Maisha Azad Ahona, GE Intern at HerWILL is passionate to bring change through spreading awareness of sustaining equality. As she builds her entrepreneurial skill she also exercises her creative self for self improvement. Apart from volunteering in multiple projects she is also the joint secretary of club Dhrubo Tara catering towards the disadvantaged. She aims to become an architect and with her creativity she wants to keep on sketching her thoughts in this sector.
Ahsan Ul Kabir: Ahsan Ul Kabir, current GE member at HerWILL, is a kind soul who is always ready to help others. Thus he wants to engage in the medical sector to continue helping others and bring forth positive changes in the world. He is a perfectionist- aiming to give his best that made him secure honorable positions in clubs, organizations, and charities. These experiences further made him a better version of himself. Still Ahsan strives to be more proactive, ready to learn, and upskill himself to be a good team player.
Shaiyan Shafi: Shaiyan Shafi, very enthusiastic about content creation, is a current GE member of HerWILL. He possesses knowledge of videography and editing that helped him receive recognition both in and outside of his school. Though the road to his YouTube channel was bumpy he quickly converted to TikTok and gained instant admiration which ultimately motivated him to start his YouTube journey again. At HerWILL he, as a younger generation, is becoming wiser with each session as he learns to be more sensitive, humble, and open minded.
KEY FINDINGS
Most women are not aware of their rights, safety, their deserving power position in the world. Their lack of knowledge and ignorance about sexual, reproductive, and mental health and rights lead them to exploitation and keep them stuck in the status quo. Also, they have been missing out on high-paying opportunities because of their poor financial literacy and leadership skills. HerWILL is aiming to Educate, Empower and Elevate women to have equal rights and accelerate in leadership and economic freedom with unconventional educational modules.
Most men also can be partners by making themselves aware and advocates of generation equality and working to obtain a society where equality, equity, and balance are celebrated. Creating awareness for all genders of the younger generation is the key to progress toward true equality.
Key Findings:
Given that the virtual sessions were conducted ensuring a safe space, participants showed their most vulnerable self while sharing their personal experiences with bullying, cyber bullying, and harassment.
Safe space and qualified subject matter experts enabled the participants, the speaker, and the organizers have self-confidence and belief in themselves to not only learn but also to put their valuable insights in whenever needed.
Based on the responses and participation obtained in the virtual sessions, it has been indicated that, these learning sessions would have 90-100% of impact if conducted in-person.
The sessions enabled the participants to come out of their shells and think outside the box to find solutions about the causes they believe in. If they are given the adequate amount of mentorship, guidance, resources, and a platform, then they will be able to nurture their skills and talents and become advocates of generation equality.
THE PROGRAM MODEL
Five learning sessions for the generation equality interns regarding generation equality subject matters.
Deliverables (Assignments and activities) are assigned to the interns for their personal and professional development.
Deliverables are assessed to comprehend their level of excellence and room of improvement.
Graduation of the program is obtained after the completion of the learning sessions.
GENERATION EQUALITY LEARNING SESSIONS
Session 1: Generation Equality Online Session :Leadership & Professional Etiquettes
Speaker: Farhana Hasan
Founder & CEO, HerWILL
Session 2: 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
Speaker: 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐦𝐮𝐝
𝐂𝐨-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐠
Session 3: 𝐆𝐄 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲:𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠
Speaker: 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐈𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧
A graduate researcher and instructor at Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University, USA.
Session 4: 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞
Speaker: 𝐓𝐚𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐚
𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐮
Session 5: Grow with Google; a Session by HerWILL.
Workshop on “Make Better Decisions with Analytics” with Demming Bass.
COLLABORATION
HerWILL Generation Equality Program collaborated with Scholastica, a well-known English Medium School in Dhaka, Bangladesh in which their O-level students participated in the internship program. A total of 18 students from Scholastica enrolled in the internship program and among them, 14 of them graduated.
ABOUT HerWILL
HerWILL, a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, sponsors activities and coordinates community efforts in any portion of the globe to increase STEM-career opportunities for populations disadvantaged by structural gender or racial injustices, therefore contribute in achieving UN SDG5 (Gender Equality) by 2030.