Mujer

http://www.mujer.ca/

Mujer's Young Latinas in Leadership Roles initiative provides opportunities for young Latinas to build their skills by conducting workshops with their peers, meant to create awareness on issues such as gender and oppression.

31 Latina youth ages 11-24 in Jane-Finch enrolled as "trainees", who then facilitated 10 presentations at local schools on concepts such as patriarchy, feminism, gender, sex and oppression. Youth (including trainees) were given an outlet to share personal struggles and conflicts, particularly around pressures and expectations they feel are placed on them by their immigrant parents. 

The group has developed a leadership model and succession plan, which includes one of the past participants taking on a new role leading the initiative. Trainees have built skills in leadership, public speaking, logistics coordination, planning, time management and organization. They have also built confidence and a support network of trustworthy friends through the program.