Dear GlobalGirls December 2020 Magazine

DEAR GLOBALGIRLS PRESENTS YOU THIS DECEMBER WITH

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT You Can't Shut Us Up

A True Hero

They

Ananya Nekkalapudi + pg #4

Rithvika Payala + pg #5

Kelley Kwok + pg #6

Ode To Blanca Evangelista

What Does Gender Equality Mean To Me?

Amani Smith + pg #7

Sachinthani Ketakumbura + pg #8-9

cre Cov at er ed Isa by be Cha lla ve z

OUR MESSAGE Dear GlobalGirls and fellow readers, Dear GlobalGirls is a monthly digital magazine dedicated to educate, inspire, and empower young girls around the globe. Our mission is to empower girls through educating them on current events and social issues, highlighting young girls who show leadership in their communities, and overall creating a welcoming and resourceful space. Founded by two Generation Z high school students from New York City, we strive to encourage girls to speak out for themselves, inspiring them to become the next leaders of our generation.

This month’s topics focus on the constant struggles women face in current society, in hopes to empower women all around the globe. Our team worked diligently expressing their opinions and beliefs, stories, and overall experiences of exclusion when writing about these critical issues. We have such passionate writers who put their voices into their pieces calling for change. It is truly inspiring to see their voices come to life on paper, and we hope this month's magazine resonates with you and your lived-experiences. Read our magazine and learn about the unfair treatment women face during their day to day lives and the shocking societal displacement.

Throughout this magazine, we hope you feel empowered and are educated to advocate for change. Participate in the fight towards equality, regardless of gender, race, religion and sexuality. You matter, so let's fight for an equal society together. All females should be able to feel confident and safe in their own communities without the worry of being overlooked or perceived in a certain way.

With these topics in mind, we are excited to see what is in store for Dear GlobalGirls as we continue to create monthly magazines serving to educate, inspire, and empower girls around the globe! We hope you take away a new piece of information and take your part in creating a more equitable society.

Lastly, a huge thank you to our team who have been dedicated to serving our organization in the creation of our monthly magazines.

We’d love to hear all your thoughts and suggestions so please email us at dearglobalgirls@gmail.com to chat or give feedback.

Sincerely, Sandra and Talia (founders)

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DEAR GLOBALGIRLS? VISIT OUR SOCIALS:

@dearglobalgirls

Dear GlobalGirls

Dear GlobalGirls

dearglobalgirls.org

Tonya Stafford was just a 13 year old girl. Yes, her family was not your typical family. Her mother was her sole caretaker and she was addicted to drugs, but Tonya was happy. She was doing okay. She loved going to school, learning and playing with her friends. In a day, everything changed. Tonya came home one day from playing and found all of her belongings packed next to the door. Her mother told her

A TRUE HERO Ananya Nekkalapudi

there was a man waiting

outside in a car, and that Tonya needed to go with him. Tonya was scared. She pleaded with her mother to let her stay, but she had already decided, so Tonya's plea was not heard . She had no choice but to comply, and that was the start of a nightmare that lasted 10 years. Tonya’s mother sold her into sex slavery at a young age to the man in exchange for money, which she planned on using for drugs. Tonya lived as a sex slave for over 10 years, during which she went through a multitude of abuses.

She

was raped, she endured frequent beatings, and went

through extreme psychological cruelty. By the age of 17, she was a mother of three children. They were her light in all the darkness that surrounded her. They were her motivation, and their smiles kept her going despite a lack of any sign of future happiness. However, Tonya finally saw hope, and a future for herself. Tonya’s neighbor, who realized that Tonya was in danger, offered to help. The two women created a plan, and went through with it. They managed to get Tonya away from the man. Tonya was finally free, and far away from her assaulter.

But Tonya’s story doesn’t end there. Even after she was able to get away from the scoundrelly act of sex trade, her battle for freedom wasn't over. Tonya now fights for other people who have been human trafficked. Tonya started a non-profit, called It's Going To Be Ok, to help survivors of any kind of trafficking overcome their traumatic experience/trauma. She strives each and every day to not only educate people on recognizing and reporting human trafficking, but also to educate and support survivors who have escaped and help them build a happy, and content life. Tonya may be a survivor, but that’s not what makes her extraordinary. She is an advocate and a speaker, who doesn’t want anyone to go through what she had to experience for 10 years. Desmund Tutu once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” This is exactly how Tonya managed to survive the cruelty she went through. She kept herself together, and didn’t stop trying. She did it for her children, herself, and other people all over the world who are going through the same injustice as she did. That is why she is a true hero.

THEY BY : RITHVIKA PAYALA They say this world isn’t infiltrated by misogyny and ignorance any more They say we have arrived in the golden age of equality They say that society has been cleansed They say we are choosing the guise of the victim What they forget is that they are the “they”.

Equality is easy to preach when you are born on a pedestal, glorified, whether you know it or not.

Above the glass ceiling, though it is clear, power and privilege fog vision The clutching of keys under the inky sky isn’t seen The shuddering breath and pounding heart aren’t heard.

Hard work brings fruits of success they say My question: how can I flourish?

My summers are shorter The land on my side of the mountain is arid Rain is rare The only other water I have are my tears After my arms are cut and scarred After my legs are sore After my heart is drained When I say I’m ready to climb the mountain An avalanche plummets Not an ounce of idleness nor slothfulness nor lethargy Exists in my soul But that’s all they see Even when we’ve made it to the top They don’t see They don’t hear They don’t seek

YOU CAN'T SHUT US UP KELLEY KWOK We are 50.8 percent Of the human race.

You have controlled us limited us. put us down Because you assume you’re better than us stronger than us smarter than us

But that is not true.

A new generation is here to change the world.

You can’t shut us up.

Womxn were given a voice to use it.

Womxn were given a brain for a reason.

And we know.

And you can’t shut us up.

Because we have the power To rise.

Because we are womxn.

ODE TO BLANCA EVANGELISTA By: Amani Smith Evangelista Definition: bringer of good news What a fitting title for you You spoon feed encouragement to all your children What a beautiful mother you are To endure bullshit From cis or trans Constantly being told you don't pass That you are the mark of the beast And you still slay these balls like they aint shit We know they hatin' Ma'am, give me fabulous Give me loving Give me "Imma push you to be your best."

And to no one's surprise it's 10 across the board How does it feel to carry the world on your back in 10 inch heels?

Boss ass women Having all the gays feel at home in their house Because not every house is a home Every step you take is closer to change You were never a force to be reckoned with Because no matter illness No matter transphobia Even if your kids leave You still find a way to be mother of the year

WHAT DOES GENDER EQUALITY MEAN TO ME? -Sachinthani Ketakumbura What does gender equality mean to me?

It means, Not having to clean or do the dishes just because I am the only girl in the house, Not having to be excluded from sports just because I am a girl, Not having to tolerate all the cat-calling and touches just because I am a girl, Not having to have big butts or big breasts to fall in love, Not having to be afraid of my boyfriend just because I am physically weak, Not having to grow up believing I will always be inferior to a man.

It means, Not having to be taken advantage of just because I have a soft heart, Not having to be afraid to go out in the street at night alone, Not having to believe that guys only want to be touched, Not having to believe that guys only want to have sex with me, Not having to be judged based on my virginity, whether I am a lady or a whore, Not having to be afraid to say you took something that was mine without my permission, Not having to be afraid to say you disrespected me, Not having to be afraid to say you messed up my whole life.

It means, Not having to give up on education or my job unwillingly just because I am married, Not having to become a slave to the man I love, Not having to become a prisoner of responsibilities of my home and kids when it is supposed to be the job for both the husband and wife, Not having to be dependent on my husband just because I married him, Not having to play the roles of both the parents, Not having to tolerate all the punches and slaps just because I am a woman, Not having to be ashamed of earning more than my spouse, Not having to believe that I don't deserve happiness in life.

It means, Not having to be bullied or discriminated or made fun of or ignored just because I am sensitive and emotional, Not having to go unheard when my voice keeps shouting, just because I am a girl, Not having to prove myself to the world, just because I am a girl, Not having to be judged every time I do something, just because I am a girl, Not having to listen to the words "You can't because you are a girl.", Not having to be the blame holder for every problem that comes up, Not having to be afraid of standing up to me.

Some might say and believe that gender equality is already achieved and all these things that are done for the sake of 'Achieving Gender Equality' are unnecessary.

Yes, laws and regulations have indeed changed. Yes, constitutions have indeed changed. But that doesn't mean the unwritten laws of society have changed. That doesn't mean the attitudes and the thoughts of people have changed. That doesn't mean cultures and traditions have changed. That doesn't mean every single country in the world has changed for the betterment of women. And that is why it is important to raise our voices against gender inequality. To fight for gender equality, not only for ourselves but for everyone. And not because women NEED gender equality, but because we DESERVE it just as any other gender deserves it.

GEN Z OF THE MONTH FOR THIS ISSUE WE CHOSE TO HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU ALL TO TRY OUT!

uilt By Girls

"BUILT BY GIRLS prepares the next generation of female and non-binary leaders to step boldly into careers powered by technology. Our community receives professional guidance and the practical tools needed to make their first career move"

"Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does."

"Kode With Klossy creates learning experiences and opportunities for young women that increase their confidence and inspire them to pursue their passions in a technology driven world"

Our December 2020 Team THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND DEDICATION!

LAUREN BYUN

ISABELLA CHAVEZ

AYMAN FATIMA

HEAD DIRECTOR

MAGAZINE COVER DESIGNER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

KELLEY KWOK

RITHVIKA PAYALA

WRITER

EVA EAPEN

CO-DIRECTORS OF WRITING

AMANI SMITH

ANANYA NEKKALAPUDI

WRITER

WRITER

WRITER

PUNEETHA MALLARAPU

DEVIKA ROSHAN

BRIANNA SCHULSTAD

EDITOR

EDITOR

EDITOR

ANVITHA REDDY EDITOR

KATELYN HOWARD

ANGIE VASQUEZ DESIGNER