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Girl Power Korea: empowering Jeju studentsSet up by two Fulbright scholars, the group aims to challenge gender inequality across society
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¡ã Students and mentors of Girl Power Korea. Photo courtesyViktoria Safarian

Girl Power Korea co-founder Viktoria Safarian introduces the women’s empowerment organization ahead of participation at BPW International Congress 2014, ICC Jeju, May 23-27.

Although South Korea has the 15th most prosperous economy in the world, it ranked 111th out of 135 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap index. The index also places Korea in the bottom 12 percent for female economic participation and opportunity and highlights that only 10 percent of all managerial positions are currently held by women, compared to an OECD average of 30 percent.

Girl Power Korea (previously known as Women’s Youth Leadership Development, WYLD) seeks to change this and see more Korean women empowered to pursue leadership roles in the labor market and government. The organization was founded by myself, Viktoria Safarian, and fellow Fulbright teacher Ginger Whitesell in fall 2013. We aim to increase women’s overall well-being, erase negative gender stereotypes, and realize greater gender equality.

Girl Power Korea seeks to inspire girls while giving them the chance to network with female role models. The International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) Jeju Club has partnered with Girl Power Korea to organize several mentorship events, ranging in size from a handful of students to over 100.

In October 2013, a Global Mentorship Camp was held, co-organized by BPW Jeju and Girl Power. Professional women in healthcare, architecture, finance, business, management, government, and design volunteered to mentor female high school students in career development. Native English teachers and university students also led high school students in activities that explored students’ dreams, focusing on future happiness and fulfillment rather than merely career goals.

Another powerful activity organized by Girl Power had students discussing pressing societal issues, from the gender gap in Korea, to genetic modification, to cell-phone addiction, to media constructs of beauty. The groups then presented their solutions to an audience of students, BPW mentors, and English teachers. In these ways, Girl Power aims to expand female students’ confidence, creative imaginations and vision for the future.

At the upcoming 2014 Jeju BPW International Congress, Girl Power will host a two-hour workshop for approximately 100 female high school students from Jeju. Students will be asked to work in groups with native English teachers, Korean university students, and BPW mentors to analyze global problems, brainstorm creative solutions, and present their results to the entire group.

Girl Power is currently developing sustainability plans for the future as the founders will leave Korea this summer. We are looking for passionate English speakers to volunteer at future mentorship events and committed individuals to lead the organization from the fall of 2014.

To volunteer or for more information, connect with “Girl Power Korea” on Facebook or email Viktoria Safarian at safarianviktoria6@gmail.com.

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