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Highland ambassador (17) shares ‘crucial and exciting’ work to empower young women





Column by Roisin Beattie (17), a Black Isle school pupil in S6

Roisin Beattie. Picture: NSPCC.
Roisin Beattie. Picture: NSPCC.

In April this year I became a National Champion for Young Women Know, a partnership project between NSPCC Scotland and The Young Women's Movement, which is being led by young women aged 16-18 across Scotland.

Young Women Know is designed to tackle peer sexual abuse, harassment, and unhealthy relationships across Scotland through youth-led campaigns.

I was inspired to join Young Women Know as I wanted to become involved in opportunities within women's rights and girls and young women's lived experiences, which can be difficult to find in many areas across the Highlands.

I am very passionate about youth work, so finding such established, professional, and educational campaigns about such a prevalent issue, created by other young people was extremely compelling and encouraging. In the Highlands, there can be a culture of shyness and reluctance when it comes to opening up and getting involved in issues such as these, especially in smaller communities. It can be daunting, and overwhelming to be completely honest and open without fearing judgment from peers and the local community.

Young Women Know, its resources, and other organisations like it are so important to young women across Scotland, as it is vital that they are educated, supported, and empowered. Peer-to-peer support can be difficult to find in smaller communities, particularly around these issues, and to have the opportunity and ability to even attempt to change this is so crucial and exciting.

We worked with three local campaign groups of women in different local authority areas across Tayside: Oor Fierce Girls, Brave Lassies Blether, and Bold Girls Ken. Each group created individual toolkits and provided support for young people's understanding of different topics such as consent, healthy relationships, and safe spaces.

Each campaign provides an informative pack and a wide range of resources for these causes, including a Safe Space’s Information Pack, Guidelines for Teaching Consent, How to Start a Campaign Group, and even a video series on Accessing Support Series, all created by young women.

As a National Champion, I act as an ambassador for Young Women Know and aim to provide a broader representation of the project. I primarily engage in the practical implementation of the campaign group's various resources and toolkits, ensuring resonance and relevance in a more concentrated area. Essentially, I spread the message of Young Women Know, identify gaps, and provide recommendations through local knowledge.

This experience as a National Champion has been completely invaluable so far. So many opportunities have been made available to me through the role, as well as meeting so many passionate, incredible, and talented people.

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To learn more about Young Women Know, or the Young Women’s Movement, and to discover other opportunities within the organisation, you can visit: Young Women Know - The Young Women's Movement or follow their Instagram at youngwomenscot.

Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline, which is a free counselling service run by the NSPCC, is there for all young people up until their 19th birthday.



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