University of Toronto student Raisa Masud listens as Environment Minister Catherine McKenna receives a briefing on Parliament Hill. Plan International CanadaRaisa Masud woke up on Oct. 4 and got ready to head to work for the day as Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Masud, an international development studies major at the University of Toronto, got to live the life of a federal cabinet minister on Parliament Hill for a day, as she shadowed Environment Minister and Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna as part of the #GirlsBelongHere initiative. The movement challenges people in positions of power to give up their decision-making seats for a day to girls and young women to show that they belonged there.
Masud, who recently turned 18, was given the opportunity after volunteering for a year as a public speaker on gender equality.
Masud observed as McKenna went to one meeting after another, as just the day before, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made a controversial announcement about carbon pricing.
“She was very energetic, fun, and most of all, empowering. She referred to me as her friend so I think we got to know one another really well, and developed a fun relationship,” said Masud. “It felt like I belonged.”
Despite the day’s hectic activities, McKenna shared her visitor’s enthusiasm and believed that it gave Masud a real glimpse of what the job can be like.
“Raisa was here on one of the busiest, craziest days I have had as minister,” said McKenna. “She’s such an awesome young woman, with tremendous potential. I wish I had been able to spend more time with her over the course of the day, but I will be following her path with interest, and I am sure she’ll go on to do great things.”
Masud credits the day with McKenna as another moment in which her career aspirations were affirmed.
“I have always wanted to work in the field of development,” said Masud. “Spending the day with the minister helped me recognize things about myself more, like how I love being able to communicate with different media outlets, how much I love working in front of the camera and how much I love when the people around me support the things I’m working hard on. It was a really fulfilling experience.”
Masud also learned from her day on the Hill that without having a strong and cooperative team, nothing would be achievable.
“It’s all about team work and helping one another in order to get the tasks done,” said Masud.
After her whirlwind day on Parliament Hill, in which she was able to see question period and meet other ministers, Masud said she returned to Toronto inspired, recalling the encouragement that McKenna gave her about working hard for her beliefs.
Plan International, the organization behind the #GirlsBelongHere campaign, is a not-for-profit international development agency focused on ending global poverty, advancing children’s rights and eliminating gender inequality.
The organization is also behind the “Because I am a Girl” initiative, and the International Day of the Girl on Oct. 11.
Staff at the Plan International Canada office began reaching out to public leaders to assess their interest in participating in #GirlsBelongHere as the concept was coming together at PI’s global head office in Britain.
The organization received positive responses and the Canadian office began the process of securing positions for the initiative.
In total, 12 girls across Canada had the opportunity to take part in the #GirlsBelongHere campaign by filling in for 13 government, business and education leaders.
Roshni Khemraj, a political science student at York University and member of both the Because I am a Girl Speaker’s Bureau and Plan International Canada’s Youth Advisory Council, spoke of the initiative’s national significance. Along with Masud, Khemraj was also one of the 12 young women who participated in the day’s activities. She shadowed president and CEO of Plan International Canada, Caroline Riseboro.
“Through this campaign, we were able to create meaningful conversations about why this initiative was so important,” said Khemraj, “and why it’s crucial to allow girls to see that they belong in decision-making seats and in spaces where they are traditionally not seen or heard.”
The project, she added, illustrates “every girl’s right to equal opportunity.”
McKenna said she agrees with PI’s mission and hopes the message spreads.
“I hope the girls who spent the day with me and my colleagues will feel empowered to take a leap and do something they’re passionate about, even if it’s a little scary!” said McKenna. “It’s time to get more strong women involved in politics, business and civil society work.”
Besides McKenna, other government leaders also gave up their positions for the day, including Finance Minister Bill Morneau, House Speaker Bardish Chagger and Minister of International Development, Marie-Clause Bibeau.
After the positive feedback and success of the first year of #GirlsBelongHere, Plan International Canada said it is hoping to continue expanding the initiative to more sectors and to even higher seats of power.