Girls unite in safe online space

TAPPING into the diverse interests and talents of Ballarat’s young women, aged twelve to twenty-five, Girl Space is a safe, inclusive community.

Launched in 2017, the collaborative initiative from Ballarat Youth Services and Centre for Multicultural Youth has always been a place for girls to network fortnightly, make new friends, learn different skills, circulate information and discuss the issues that affect them, from racism to discrimination, gender roles, relationships and beyond.

BYS coordinator, Katja Fiedler said the program reaches out to all walks of life and empowers them.

“We have girls from diverse cultural backgrounds, with diverse and specific needs, disabilities, gender diverse people, members of the LGBTI community… It’s as broad and as welcoming as possible,” she said.

Always running activities guided by what young women want, Girl Space is utilising Facebook’s group platform throughout lockdown. Here, their 400-plus members can connect daily, share resources, support each other and facilitate regular live streams.

So far, fitness and trivia sessions have encouraged Ballarat’s girls to step up, and engage, and an established organising committee is looking ahead to potentially hosting art and cooking activities.

Sixteen-year-old Yaya Tuany has embraced the “by girls, for girls” philosophy, recently leading a live streamed, “sassy” Afro Zumba workout with her friend, Nyagak Yang. It has been viewed over 1000 times.

“We had found we were very bored at home, so as soon as we got the opportunity, we wanted to do African dancing,” she said.

“The home routine every day is draining, so it was good to get back into something I do outside of quarantine.

“Everyone kept sharing it. We had neighbours come out and do it from their driveway. Even my mum got in on it and loved it. It’s a privilege, honestly.”

Whether meeting online, or in person at BGT’s Barkly Square, Girl Space attendee Lauren Riddel said any involvement with the dynamic group is mentally uplifting.

“It’s a fantastic way to stay involved and motivated. It gets me out of bed, and it’s great to break up your routine,” she said.

The online Girl Space is accessible at facebook.com/groups/175523252932646.