It first came out in 2011 and since then, a movement has developed through their website and social media presence to call attention to how women are being represented in the media. Using the twitter hashtag #NotBuyingIt, followers of Miss Representation's page have called out advertisers and companies who have used the objectification or stereotyping of women in order to promote or sell their products. This campaign, which is especially active around the Superbowl commercials each year, has led several companies to reconsider how women are represented in their promotional materials.
The material presented in this documentary is heavy and this was reflected in the reactions of the youth and leaders who were present on Saturday. Many were shocked at how prevalent the objectification of women was in media and culture as well as how this affected the presence of women in positions of power in society. The experiences and stories of several teenagers are also an important part of this documentary. For the youth who were there, it was a chance to hear how different people from their generation were affected by these issues.
Three leaders from St Philip's and St Mary's combined youth group were present for the screening and the discussion. We have decided that we will show it at an upcoming youth group meeting in February. Particularly given our support of Evie Byrne's trip to the UN Commission on the Status of women, we believe that exploring the ways in which our culture constructs gender and how this affects each of us is an important next step.
Spending time learning about these issues and their implications for our faith is an important part of our mission as the Church as are our actions to support gender advocacy locally, nationally and internationally. The second mark of mission, "To teach, nurture and baptize new believers" is not simply an exhortation to prepare people for baptism through teaching. It also calls us to ongoing spiritual formation - to study how to live our faith in the world. Likewise, the fourth mark of mission calls us "To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation." Gender inequality has been identified by our Church as one such unjust structure and the elimination of the many forms of gender based violence to be a priority for us as we seek to live into the reign of God.
Thanks to Mayon Marcelino and the youth of Lakeview Multicultural United Church for hosting this event. I hope that many of the youth of St Philip's will take advantage of the opportunities to learn about gender related advocacy in the next few months.
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