An empowering new statue has appeared in London beside an effigy of “St George and the Dragon” – depicting a female version of the English patron saint, slaying a dragon from the back of a BMX bike.
Ahead of International Women's Day on March 8th, the “Georgina and the Dragon” statue was designed in partnership with Girlguiding Advocates – the UK's largest youth organisation dedicated to girls – to level the playing field.
Sitting triumphantly on her BMX bike, brandishing a rounders bat in the air, Georgina is depicted slaying a dragon that is covered in outdated gender stereotypes that young girls still feel they face today.
These include the belief that there are gender-specific toys (35%), and the assumption that women are in charge of household tasks (39%).
Half of 10-17-year-old girls feel they are more likely to face such negative stereotypes than their male counterparts, according to a poll of 450 youngsters in this age group – leaving one in three feeling angry, and 45% feeling annoyed.
But the “Georgina” statue, which was unveiled in St John's Wood, is also seen using a rucksack as a shield, adorned with badges that young women have gained across their individual Girlguiding journeys – such as “Speaking Out”, “Inventing”, “Construction”, “Navigator”, and “Entrepreneur”.
The newly designed “Girls Can Do Anything” badge is the latest one to be added to the collection – empowering girls to think big and be bold in a space where they can be themselves, get creative, explore and have fun.
The charity also commissioned the research to reveal the most common stereotypes women and girls still battle with in their everyday lives – despite coming a long way when it comes to equality and non-prejudice.
Girlguiding chief executive, Angela Salt, said: “Girlguiding was founded over 100 years ago because girls wanted the same rights and opportunities as boys.
“Regrettably, the battle for equality is still very real as girls face an unprecedented number of pressures in all aspects of their lives – with sexism and stereotypes creating barriers to accessing the things that they need to be happy.
“Our organisation helps empower girls so they know they can do anything, and we help them to confront the things that hold them back.
“This International Women’s Day, we’re excited to share our refreshed brand with the world.”
It also emerged 45% think females are referred to as more “emotional” and “delicate” than males, according to the OnePoll.com study.
Exactly two-thirds believe more needs to be done to break down these old-fashioned views – with 27% admitting it has previously stopped them from doing something they wanted to do.
Girlguiding advocate, Lucy, 15, said: “Gender stereotypes add unnecessary barriers to girls and young women.
“They reinforce pre-existing misogyny and sexism in everyday life – in schools, in public, and in jobs.
“Being a member has really helped my confidence, and being an advocate means I can inspire other girls to explore new interests and activities that not everyone considers to be “for girls”.
“It’s really exciting to have a permanent statue to remind us that we are courageous and strong, and can do anything.”
The “Georgina and The Dragon” statue, which marks a significant time in the organisation's 113-year history, is available to view from International Women’s Day (March 8th) at Girlguiding HQ in Victoria, London.
TOP 10 STEREOTYPES FEMALES FACE TODAY:
- Girls are more emotional and delicate than boys
- Boys are stronger than girls
- Pink is a girls' colour and blue is a boys' colour
- Girls are expected to help with household chores
- Men are better drivers than women
- There are toys for girls and toys for boys
- Girls can cry but boys shouldn't cry
- Boys are braver than girls
- Football is a boys' game
- Science is more for boys
