Young leaders join forces to address gender-based issues
Youth activist and rural medical student, Jasmine Davis, has been selected to sit on The Global Institute for Women’s Leadership’s Global Youth Committee.
Jasmine Davis, final year rural medical student at the University of Melbourne, has joined the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership’s Global Youth Committee.
This new Committee, established by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) at The Australian National University, will bring together 17 young leaders to look at the most pressing gender-based issues facing their generation. Jasmine will join the committee alongside two other University of Melbourne students; Maggie Blanden and Noemie Huttner-Koros.
After receiving applications from more than 500 young people, GIWL has selected 17 inspirational change-makers from a diverse range of backgrounds to join the Global Youth Committee from right across Australia and the Asia Pacific.
The Committee will be chaired by leading youth advocate, Chanel Contos, whose landmark petition started a vital national conversation on sexual consent and education. It will act as a platform for engaged young people to share their ideas and advocate for change.
“Culture, policies and laws that are being made now will be lived out by young people of Australia, so they are integral to how we shape the future of this country,” Ms Contos said.
“I am so excited to see what this unbelievably impressive group of people achieve with this new platform, and what they take from it to their existing roles of leadership and social change.”
The Committee members have expertise across a range of issues, from First Nations justice to disability activism.
Through this Committee, GIWL aims to empower young leaders to advocate for the change they want to see, and shape the future direction of its research, policy and engagement – bridging the gap between the experiences of young people and the policies that will dictate their lives.
Jasmine Davis, a final year Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health student where she is completing her final year at the University of Melbourne Rural Clinical School in Wangaratta. Born, raised and working in regional Victoria, she is driven by her passion to reduce health inequities faced by those living in rural and remote areas, and as it intersects with gender and sexuality.
On the appointment, Jasmine said: “It’s a privilege to be part of this committee of inspiring young people who are all passionate about equity and change.
“I am excited to learn from the other committee members, and share my experiences of being a woman in leadership, so that we can continue to break down barriers for women and gender diverse people around the world.”
The Global Institute for Women’s Leadership is chaired by Julia Gillard, the only woman to have served as Prime Minister of Australia.
“This Committee embodies a new generation of compassionate leaders who are already doing incredible work to make real change in their communities,” Ms Gillard said.
“Young people are best placed to address the world’s greatest challenges, and with the diverse talent and experiences of this group, I am excited to see what they’ll be able to achieve working together towards a more inclusive and sustainable future”.
GIWL brings together rigorous research, practice and advocacy to make sustainable change towards workplace gender equality and a more gender equal society. If you are aged 30 or under and are passionate about gender equality, GIWL invites you to register for their Youth Summit this October in Brisbane. Find out more here.