Kris Ahn and Corinne Bintz are determined to tackle global topics.
“Kris and I were talking last year, how we’re both interested in human rights and feminism. There wasn’t a club that talked about human rights,” said Bintz. The two high school juniors decided to start a chapter of Girls Learn International at Camas High School. The Camas High chapter is one of 174 chapters in 32 states, and the first chapter in the region.
Girls Learn International chapters explore issues of human rights to involve U.S. students in the movement to ensure girls’ access to education around the globe. Chapters are paired with partner schools in other countries where girls lag behind boys in school.
The Camas chapter, which started this spring, currently has 20 members. “It’s a diverse group,” said Ahn, “with a number of boys in our club.” The diversity has been strength at the group’s meetings, which are discussion based, led by a guidebook from Girls Learn International. Having both genders gives a broader perspective to meeting topics, said the duo.
“There’s a misconception that feminism is only for women,” Bintz said. When they first started the club, the pair was surprised by initial resistance from their peers and teachers. Some said they would start a “boys’ rights club,” under the misconception that the Girls Learn chapter was just for girls.
“Feminism is about equality for both genders, it’s just that generally (across the world) women are more repressed,” said Bintz. “Once our peers became part of the club, and their friends, and other boys saw that they can be a part of this club, ‘Oh this is OK for me to do.’ It makes them more aware of feminism.”
Through club meetings, Bintz sees education as a valuable tool that helps overcome systemic barriers, and the power of knowledge. “It makes me definitely more appreciative of the education that I have,” said Bintz.
Many people do care about human rights, but often they’re unaware of what’s going on around the world, said Ahn. “I want to educate more people, spread that knowledge, and that it’s an amazing thing for us able to have. Our school’s very fortunate and it’s important for us to understand what other schools go through.”
Club meetings have covered topics such as the importance of education to escape poverty, and the statics of sex trafficking in the United States. “It’s an issue that’s swept under the rug, and it’s a shocking number,” said Bintz.
“Especially as teenager girls, it’s kind of scary knowing that, (but) you want to take more action, be more aware of what happens, and protect yourself from it happening to you,” said Ahn.
Because the Camas chapter began in the spring semester, it has not been paired with a partner school yet. But that hasn’t held it back from advocacy and raising awareness. The club will host a screening of “Girls Rising,” rated PG-13, from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight. The documentary follows the lives of nine girls from developing countries and how the influence of education can break the cycle of poverty. The documentary will be shown at Camas High School Theater, 26900 S.E. 15th St., Camas. Admission is free, with a $5 suggested donation. http://chs.camas.wednet.edu
Both are focused on broadening awareness for the group. “I think it would be cool to do some sort of sports event, outdoor event. More people would be drawn to it, yoga for your rights, attract different members of the community,” said Bintz.
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