Today Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) Educator Daniella presented a Women's Rights are Human Rights workshop to excited campers at Camp U of T - part of the University of Toronto. This marked FSWC's second visit to the camp. Tour for Humanity presented multiple workshops to different camps at U of T earlier this summer in July. The campers participating in yesterday's workshop were part of "Girls Achieve" - a camp aimed at 11-12 year old girls who want to be leaders. The group of 30 girls was very eager to discuss issues that were relevant and important to them. 

Daniella began with a short age-appropriate overview of Simon Wiesenthal's story and the Holocaust, with a specific focus on the role of women during the Holocaust. The girls were very knowledgeable and provided a lot of the information themselves. They were very quick to point out that women often had to take on traditional male roles along with caring for children. When it came to discussing gender discrimination and stereotypes, virtually every girl had something to add. They began describing scenarios when they had been treated different than a male classmate or sibling; most importantly, they also shard times when they had stood up against discrimination. Daniella asked the group to come up with ways to change the narrative and make their own schools and communities more tolerant places. A few of the girls made suggestions including raising awareness and making sure that everyone is treated equally.At the end of the workshop, a small group of girls stayed behind to tell Daniella about specific issues they were each having with discrimination and bullying at school and asked for advice. Daniella worked with the group and gave them suggestions which included talking to their parents and teachers, but also trying to find a way to distance themselves from the bully.The campers presented Daniella with a special thank you card at the end of the workshop.