Supporting Auckland's young feminists to find their voice.

As Youth Co-ordinator at the Auckland Women’s Centre and co-founder of the Auckland Young Feminists Network, Gabriella Brayne is passionate about encouraging and empowering young women, and supporting youth-oriented feminist activism.

She has played a key role in developing and leading Auckland Women's Centre's High School Feminism Project, and organised the hugely successful Feminist Leadership event with Helen Clark in 2018.

Her work in the feminist sector was recognised by the Women's Fund, with an award to support two of her projects.

The first, a Rangatahi Youth Engagement Project, worked with over 16 schools in Auckland.

As well as helping to set up and/or maintain nine gender equality groups (involving approximately 30 young women per group), the grant enabled a 'Campaigning and Activism' workshop.

Bringing together twelve high school student leaders from St Dominic's, Pakuranga, Papatoetoe, Massey High, Takapuna, Auckland Girls Grammar School, and Glendowie College, the students discussed ways for young people to activate around feminist issues and had the opportunity to hear from Lizzie Marvelly and Ollin Perez-Raynaud (Consent Club/Rape Prevention Education) about their relationship and experiences with feminist activism. Following feedback at the workshop, a hui on reproductive justice was hosted for the students.

The grant also helped with the creation of a new brand identity for the Auckland Young Feminists in line with its kaupapa, including a new website to make feminist resources more accessible to students across Aotearoa.

"The Campaigning and Activism event brought together a diverse group of young wahine with skills in community leadership and activism. Almost all students said that their awareness of intersectional feminism, their confidence speaking up for themselves, and their connection to other feminists increased."

"Some of the takeaway lessons from students included: "Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in" and "That I can make a change in my community and know how to do so effectively"."

"Meanwhile publishing our website will be an important milestone in Auckland Young Feminists' development and we cannot wait to share the final product, along with its tangible community impact, with the Women's Fund."

Photo supplied by Auckland Young Feminists.