It is not everyday that we see a major feminist move on TV, let alone a provincial campaign on rape culture lead by two grade 8 students! Using social media and online petitions, Tessa and Lia were successful in urging Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne & Education Minister Liz Sandals to include consent as a subject in the new Sexual Education Curriculum. Thanks to the Internet, we had the chance to learn more about the campaign and the amazing young feminists behind it. Enjoy! 

Q: Tell us a bit about your campaign. What motivated you to start this movement?

Tessa: The idea for We Give Consent started from a Media studies project. We’re creating a 20 minute documentary about Rape Culture in the media. Through our interviews, with people like Farrah Khan and Steph Guthrie, we kept hearing the phrase “Consent Culture” and “to end rape culture we have to create a consent culture”. A part of our project is called a Call to Action, where you do something that will help change the issue you are talking about. So, one day in a Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) meeting at our school our teacher brought up the fact that the Ontario health curriculum was changing. Right now the health curriculum doesn’t include anything about affirmative consent, and this started a conversation with our teacher about what we could do. Lia and I decided on creating We Give Consent.

Q: In what ways is rape culture persistent in Ontario’s schools? What are some examples? 

Lia: I think there is definitely a rape culture in Ontario, and that is perpetuated through the education system. The dress codes (particularly targeted at female high school students) in most schools across the province have rules about clothing such as not being able to wear clothing considered “too revealing” or “provocative”. This tells the girls being shamed or punished for wearing certain clothing that they have to dress based on boys’ ability to control themselves, as opposed to boys learning not to treat girls as sexual objects. When these rules are enforced by teachers and administration, it contributes to a culture that normalizes and accepts rape.

Q: How do you think addressing the issue of consent and healthy relationships can improve our culture and society?

Lia: In order to end rape culture, we have to create a consent culture. This means introducing the topic of consent early on- not necessarily in a sexual context- and giving students the building blocks they need for developing healthy relationships and always asking for consent. We have to raise our generation in a culture where consent is a norm, despite what the media may depict.

Q: How was the meeting with the Premier?

Lia: The meeting was great! Premier Wynne was on the exact same page as us about what needs to be included in the new sex ed curriculum.

Q: Do you call yourself feminists? What advice do you have for people who don’t?

Lia: Yes, and I love calling myself a feminist! Anyone who believes in equality for all genders and sexes is a feminist by definition, and nobody should hesitate to call themselves one. There are way too many ridiculous stereotypes associated with feminism, but what everybody needs to know is that not all feminists are hairy man-haters! Those are, in fact, just stereotypes, and in reality, the feminist community is an amazing, accepting group of people. Nobody should be afraid to label themselves as a feminist, because once you do, you’re associating yourself with people that are strong and courageous and do great things.

Tessa: Calling myself a feminist means that I believe in equal rights, but to me it is also about being an empowered young woman. It has absolutely nothing to do with hating men or wanting to take over the world! There is this huge image around feminism that is constantly perpetuated by myths and tabloids. So many role models and celebrities shy away from the word, and refrain from calling themselves feminists. I’m happy to call myself a feminist.

Q: What advice do you have for young activists? Who has been helping you with the campaign?

Tessa: My advice is to do what you may think can’t be done. Lia and I have had so much help and support from our friends, family, and especially from Change,org. When we first started our project, we didn’t really  think much would happen. There is no issue of injustice too big or too small that should ever be taken on, and with the power of social media and your voice as youth you can make a huge change.

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