Empowering Young Women to Lead Change: A Training Manual

This manual is a training tool for young women to catalyse positive change in their lives and communities. It is designed by and for young women, as part of the World YWCA's commitment to developing effective young women leaders. A resource group of women leaders and activists under age 30 from nine countries was established to guide the production of this publication. Through consultation, seven key issues were identified as having a crucial impact on young women. These issues include HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, self esteem and body image, violence against women, human rights, economic justice and peace. Focusing on these issues, the manual provides young women with information and tools to: gain insights into the issues, facilitate training to educate and mobilise her peers to collaborate on the issues and develop advocacy skills and take concrete action on the issues.

The manual has been tested in Belarus, Jamaica, El Salvador, Lebanon, Zambia and the Philippines to ensure it is a practical and youth friendly resource in diverse cultural settings. The workshop guides included in each module are designed to enable young women to successfully lead fun and engaging workshops without need for "expert facilitators". The curriculum is flexible and allows for adjustments, such as special speakers or resource people, to suit the needs of the participants. The modules may be used alone or in any combination that best meets participants' interests, requirements, available time and resources. There are also a series of warm-up, introductory and icebreaker activities to choose from to incorporate into trainings wherever necessary.