[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12897-S12898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    Girls' Declaration of Sentiments


                                Preamble

       When, in the course of human events, girls are denied the 
     rights and respect they are entitled to, it becomes necessary 
     for girls everywhere to take action to improve their everyday 
     lives.
       We believe that all people--women, men, girls and boys--are 
     created equal. We all have certain rights as people, and it 
     is up to all of us to make sure that these rights are 
     respected and protected. When our society doesn't recognize 
     these rights, changes must occur. Change should not be made 
     without good reason, but the state of our society compels us 
     to work for change. The rights of girls have not been 
     respected. To gain this respect, we must speak out to declare 
     our independence and explain our reasons for doing so.


                                 SPORTS

       Facts: Girls have been denied equal access to some sports, 
     positions, and resources. The little attention and 
     encouragement girls receive is frustrating. Girls have been 
     excluded from leadership roles, decreasing their capacity to 
     participate fully as athletes.
       Solutions: Girls need to speak out. Girls can create 
     coalitions, push to be included in all sports, or create 
     their own teams. The adults in girls' lives should encourage 
     them with persistent support. Title IX should be more widely 
     recognized, enforced, and expanded in all communities.


                           MEDIA/SELF-ESTEEM

       Facts: Girls feel they must fit into an image the media has 
     created. When they don't, they often lose their self-esteem. 
     This loss causes many girls to be more vulnerable to peer 
     pressure which can lead to substance abuse, eating disorders, 
     teenage sex, pregnancy, and other problems.
       Solutions: The media should promote the beauty of all girls 
     regardless of size, shape, or ethnicity. Girls should take 
     the initiative to be healthier, think positively about 
     themselves, and look for the good things in life. Girls can 
     find support from people in similar situations, mentors, and 
     youth organizations. Girls must take action by forming 
     groups, writing letters, and protesting against the media's 
     distorted images of girls.


                               EMPLOYMENT

       Facts: Girls and women have the right to physically 
     demanding or mentally challenging jobs if they choose. They 
     have the right to earn 100 percent of what boys and men earn. 
     Girls and women have the right to a combination of family and 
     career. They have the right to be hired based on 
     capabilities, not on appearance. Girls have the right to work 
     comfortably without fearing sexual harassment.
       Solution: To accomplish these goals, girls must stand up 
     for themselves. They should help each other understand the 
     problems they face. Girls should stay positive and strong 
     while fighting this peaceful battle for equality.


                                VIOLENCE

       Facts: Violence and abuse occur everywhere in this nation, 
     limiting girls' independence to fully explore the world 
     around them. Sexual harassment and other kinds of abuse 
     happen in schools and in some families, lowering the self-
     esteem of the abused or the threatened.
       Solutions: Girls and their communities should make sure 
     that social services and police are accessible and available, 
     and that all people know how to reach them. The federal 
     government should create a national toll-free hotline that 
     includes teenagers who have experienced these issues.


                               EDUCATION

       Facts: The educational system focuses on men. Not seeing 
     women in leadership positions in history books and in schools 
     gives girls the impression that women are not able to lead as 
     well as men. In school, many teachers and counselors fail to 
     encourage girls to take non-traditional classes such as high-
     level math and science classes, weightlifting, auto 
     mechanics, and others. When they do take those classes, girls 
     are often ridiculed for enrolling. Boys are allowed to be 
     outspoken in class, while girls are expected to be quiet and 
     self-controlled, leading girls to believe that what they 
     think or say does not matter.
       Solutions: Girls should communicate with teachers, 
     counselors, parents, and others about their educational 
     rights. If this approach fails, girls must write out their 
     concerns and present them to higher authorities such as 
     principals, school boards, superintendents, or state 
     departments of education.


                                RELIGION

       Facts: Many religions teach girls during childhood that 
     only men are meant to be

[[Page S12898]]

     ministers, priests, rabbis, and leaders of congregations. 
     Boys and men are able to participate more fully and are 
     celebrated more often in many religions.
       Solutions: Girls must challenge their religions and 
     question the limits on their participation. Girls must 
     examine their own beliefs to make sure that what they believe 
     in is what they stand up for. Society should not assume that 
     God has a specific gender.


                                PARENTS

       Facts: Most parents are overprotective of their daughters 
     because of problems like rape and kidnapping, but parents 
     don't object to their sons staying out late. Parents often 
     limit girls' freedom, subconsciously using bribery as a 
     blindfold. They often give their daughters more clothes and 
     money, disguising the truth that they are limiting their 
     daughters' freedom.
       Solutions: Parents should consider setting curfews, 
     allowance, and chores by responsibility and age, instead of 
     by gender. Girls should challenge their parents and society 
     to make their surroundings a safe place to live.


                              STEREOTYPING

       Facts: Society generates stereotypes about girls that 
     categorize, suppress, pressure and make assumptions based on 
     girls' past traditions. Examples of stereotypes that narrow 
     how girls define themselves include the assumptions that 
     girls should dress a certain way, look pretty, and be quiet, 
     feminine, and pure. Girls have the right to be considered 
     physically equal to boys. They have the right to be strong 
     individuals and still be considered feminine.
       Solutions: Girls must define their behavior and appearance 
     according to their personal beliefs and preferences. Society 
     must support and encourage girls' definitions of themselves.


                               Conclusion

       In essence, girls look forward to respect, equality, good-
     paying jobs, and full participation in sports. Our hopes and 
     dreams for the future are for girls and women to succeed in 
     society and to accomplish the goals they set for themselves 
     and for future generations. We hold the hope that girls are 
     fully accepted by society in the near future.
       On behalf of Girls International Forum, we would like to 
     give thanks to our first foremothers: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 
     Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth and Lucretia Mott. If 
     today's society would encourage leadership in young girls and 
     women we will have a strong tomorrow.
       Signed by Girls International Forum, Seneca Falls, New York 
     July 19, 1998.

       Morgan Kremers, 14, Leah Rodriguez 18, Gaylene Fred, 14, 
     Meredith Turner-Woolley, 13, Martha Fernandez, 16, Paloma 
     Reyes, 16, Mariya Ho, 11, Jamie E. Bernabo, 13, Andrea 
     Baldwin, 9, Katie Baldwin, 11, Reshma Pattni, 14, Alexia 
     Paleologos, 8, Melissa Bagwell, 16, Gradolyn Talley, 13, and 
     Melanie Mousseaux, 16.

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