Girls

Summary of research and links to backgrounders intended to support the work of facilitators of girls’ empowerment groups, programmers and organizations working with girls and young women. The research project examined: best practices in health promotion with girls and healthy living issues such as prevention of tobacco uptake, obesity, physical inactivity and dating violence; the central elements of girls’ empowerment group approaches and how they might provide a model for gender-specific health promotion; and what girls say they get from these groups.

The result of 15 years of Girls Action expertise in delivering and supporting girls’ programs, the knowledge and insights collected from National Network Members, and three years of compiling the best of the resources. Comprised of a “how-to” Manual and a Workshop Guide. The Manual is a comprehensive guide to organizing and facilitating girls’ programs. The Workshop Guide is a collection of over 50 activities from girls’ programmers across the country.

Discusses the fact that when girls hit puberty, they start to experience higher rates of depression than do boys, and this sex difference continues until women hit menopause. Aims to educate not only health care providers treating young women for depression but also teachers, therapists, youth workers, researchers, and others. Includes a section of stories by girls called "In their words—young women’s stories, advice and wisdom".

Provides discussion guide on addressing coexisting trauma, mental health and substance use problems experienced by girls and women through trauma-informed and trauma-specific approaches. Developed from the work of the Community of Practice (vCoP) that served as a mechanism for “gendering” the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and other Drugs and Substances in Canada.

Provides discussion guide on gendered approaches to youth prevention, harm reduction, and treatment, arising from a national virtual Community of Practice (vCoP) that served as a mechanism for “gendering” the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and other Drugs and Substances in Canada.

A guide for girls and a journal that goes with it.  Talks about body image, bullying, self esteem, relationships, puberty, etc.

This article is adapted from Girl-Centred Approaches to Prevention, Harm Reduction, and Treatment and Heavy Alcohol Use Among Girls and Young Women: Highlights of Findings from Literature Review and Web Search. It illustrates how increasing attention is being brought to the issue of substance use by girls and young women, and the associated health and social consequences of heavy drinking, smoking cigarettes, as well as the use of both licit and illicit substances. Local, national, and international data now show that the gender gap in substance use is closing.

Discusses substance use among girls and women in Canada. Looks at what substances Canadian women use, what are the gendered influences on women's substance use, and what are the challenges.

Summarizes recent research on girls who exhibit aggressive and violent behaviours. Defines relevant terms, outlines factors which may contribute to girls' aggression and violence, and presents ideas for preventing these behaviours.

Presents an interactive website on self-esteem and body image developed to help young women understand themselves better. Includes quizzes and stories.