Marigold Mioc is a 15-year-old Calgary-based volunteer, advocating for survivors of domestic violence and the protection of human rights. She began her journey in volunteerism at the age of five by selling headbands for local charities. As a United Way Youth Ambassador, Marigold has co-hosted the launch of Planet Youth Calgary—a program aimed at preventing substance abuse among the youth population. On International Day of the Girl Child, Marigold is sharing her message on some of the issues facing young girls in Canada.
On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. This day focuses attention on the need to address these challenges and promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. This year’s theme is ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future’.
According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, some of the barriers faced by girls and women in Canada include:
- Girls and young women face a higher risk of dating violence; the rate of police-reported dating violence is about nine times for teenage girls than for boys.
- Mental well-being is a critical issue. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 in Canada.
- There is a noticeable gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Women earn only 30% of all STEM degrees in Canada, indicating a gender disparity that begins early in the educational journey. Addressing barriers to girls’ participation in these subjects is essential to closing this gap.
Marigold Mioc at the 2024 United Way Kickoff.
Engaging with boys and men is essential to driving progress for gender equality. This approach can help to support the shift of social norms, which can help to change gender stereotypes over time, in areas such as division of labour, for example. There have traditionally been unequal power dynamics between men and women and including men and boys to challenge gender stereotypes can help with progress.
Everyone needs to participate for change to happen.
Gender equality helps everyone
I have volunteered with many local agencies over the past decade. I have also been a youth ambassador for an organization called Gems for Gems, which assists survivors of domestic violence. Although men also experience domestic violence, it does disproportionally affect women and children.
Gender-based violence and discrimination are most definitely mainly targeted toward women, but gender inequality indeed does affect both genders. Toxic gender norms, many times rooted in outdated traditions, can take a toll on both men’s and women’s mental health. For example, in a family unit where the woman never leaves the house, and the man works all day every day, both people may face significant stress in their lives and eventually blame one another. A “provider” mindset is still heavily expected of men in many cultures today. It can put a lot of pressure on men, even though many women would prefer to split the work and duties in a relationship.
Taking a more modern or equalized approach to duties in relationships can significantly reduce the stress of both parties. The best way to do that is to stop worrying about what others think and instead start thinking about what kind of life makes you the happiest.
Marigold co-hosting the 2023 Planet Youth Calgary launch.
Girls are making a difference in Calgary
Being involved in community service from a very young age has helped me learn teamwork and leadership skills. I started my own small business in 2015, called “Marigold’s Heart Garden,” making and selling headbands to raise money for charitable causes.
Volunteering has helped me to feel empowered and like I was making a difference in my community. For example, I started working with the Love with Humanity Association, which has been in existence since 2018. This grassroots organization helps with food security, and through volunteering I have started to co-manage my own food pantry since 2023.
Having access to leadership courses have helped me to feel like I am capable, especially in the high-pressure environment of today’s world. Having mentors can significantly help to build confidence and giving girls a chance to lead is also crucial. Girls need to develop leadership skills and enter roles where they can use those skills. After participating, I was fortunate to have had the chance to co-facilitate leadership classes at organizations, allowing me to put my newly learned skills into action.
In conclusion, I think some challenges can be overcome by including girls in decision-making, encouraging them to participate, offering them opportunities to lead and treating them equally. It’s critical to engage boys and men in gender equality as well.
Youth leadership is at the core of Planet Youth Calgary. Rather that determine outcomes, United Way of Calgary and Area looks to convene partners and collaborators that can support leaders like Marigold in creating the vision, spaces, ideas and directions they would like to see in their communities. Groups like Women United lift and support young women like Marigold in creating lasting social change in Calgary and beyond.