This website was set up by a group of eight 14-15 year olds as part of the 'Shape the Future' competition. The competition this year, was about transforming the lives of millions of girls. As a group, we decided that the key to beginning to solve the problem of gender inequality was to raise awareness. 
Our idea was to create a website with a blog and forum so that people all over the world can discuss issues and share their opinions.

'Taking part in the Shape The Future competition was an amazing opportunity and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience' Gabriella - 14
 'Taking part in this competition was important to taking an action to challenge the issues of gender equality instead of just being aware of the problems that women are still facing today. We hope that this project becomes a stepping stone to taking further actions towards inequality that unfortunately still exists in this world."  Minwoo Ju 15-
'I really enjoyed taking part in the Shape the Future competition, and I feel I have gained social awareness so I can therefore do things to help the situation we have been working on. I feel thoroughly proud of myself and my team to combat such a sensitive subject, and if we make just a little difference it will make me very happy.' Shannon Cole- 14
'Shape The Future Competition has really opened my mind and made me think about what I can do to make a difference. I feel thoroughly inspired and am excited about all of the opportunities that I now know that I can take to help others.' Paige Chappell - 15
"I have been shocked by the response to our ideas on our website, as well as the response to some questions we asked. Almost NO-ONE knew what FGM was, including myself a few weeks ago. Our video proves the message needs to be spread wider, not just about FGM but many things, like women's education. A massive well done to everyone that took part and thankyou to both the teachers and students that worked immensely hard on this" Natasha - 15
"I am overjoyed at how much we have done for this competition, as well as how well we have worked to collaborate our ideas in order to create such an amazing result. This project has allowed me to not only to promote gender equality and get inequality known across the world, but it has also allowed me to make new friends and find others that share the same interests/morals as I do. I think it has brought many people together to strive for one important goal.
I feel glad that I have had a part in making the world a better place, and I've enjoyed the whole experience so much."  Sophia - 14

As part of the 'Shape the Future' competition that this website has been designed for, our teachers organised for us to go to a conference all about challenges and opportunities for women in Africa. Although the conference was meant for A Level students and some of the topics gave us a lot to think about, it was an amazing experience!

There were three speakers who came to talk about some really interesting topics. The first speaker, Afua Hirsch talked all about the fantastic things that are happening in West Africa in particular at the moment for women. She criticized the way that the media portray Africa because at the moment although there is still a lot that needs to be done, African counties are developing and the amount of opportunities for women is rising. It was really inspiring to hear about all the things that are going on. She talked about women who have got involved in politics, literature, fashion, trade and business. 
The second speaker, Proffessor Hazel Barrett talked about the sensitive subject of FGM. She talked about trying to talk to more people, within communities who pratice FGM, so that we can reduce the amount of girls at risk of FGM. Although at times, it was shocking and hard to listen to, the horrific ordeals that girls all over the world, not just in Africa, have to face, motivated us to really try and make a difference. 
Anne Cotton, who is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who won an OBE in 2006, came to talk about her incredible work getting girls into education. She talked about all the reasons that girls might have to stop their education, in particular, forced and/or early marriage and pregnancy. This issue touched us as 14-15 year olds because many girls who are forced into marriage and become pregnant are around our age. It was amazing to hear about everything that she has done, setting up her organisation, Camfed.

Camfed, Ann Cotton's organisation is an amazing campaign for female education. to find out more about it, visit their website: camfed.org

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), according to the World Health Organisation, 'comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to
the female genital organs for non-medical reasons' In this video, girls speak out about the fact that in schools, we aren't educated enough on the issue and they press for it to be taught in schools.
To find out more about the 'End FGM' campaign go to http://www.theguardian.com/end-fgm
To find out more about FGM, visit http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/