“Feminism looks at who has power (or doesn’t), what kind of power (social, political, economic), and how they use it.”
- Katie Carlson, Founder & Deputy Director
Paper Crown Rwanda
Why did you start Paper Crown?
I started Paper Crown because of my feminist background - so much of what I learned and discovered in my teenage and college years shaped me deeply as a person, and I wanted to share that same knowledge and awareness with other women and girls. Becoming aware of gender as a social system of oppression and discrimination was a game changer for me, and we’ve seen how it’s also a game changer for others. It changes how you think about yourself, your experiences, the world and others around you. It’s incredibly liberating and it also drives you to do something about it. It makes you a better person when you can start to recognize how everyone around you faces different degrees and types of discrimination. I wanted other young people to have that same experience, especially girls, and to become emboldened to make real change in their lives and communities.
What’s the biggest change in attitudes you’ve seen over the last 5 years?
The impact we’ve made has been pretty incredible overall. The biggest change I have seen is when girls start to stand up for themselves, to question the assumptions they and others make about their place in the world, and to say enough is enough when it comes to discrimination and violence. Hearing from young girls, even after just one workshop with us, about how they are educating their parents, siblings and friends, and seeing real behavioural change as a result, is the best change we can hope for, and it’s the one we see most often.
What’s your definition of feminism?
I often like to say that feminism is fundamentally the study of power, and the activism that follows from what that study reveals. Feminism looks at who has power (or doesn’t), what kind of power (social, political, economic) and how they use it. Though feminism focuses on gender-based discrimination and oppression, it has to be intersectional in its approach in order to be legitimate - which means that because feminism acknowledges how power dynamics alternately harm or privilege different people for different reasons and to different degrees, feminism must also look beyond gender and consider how power manifests according to race, class, disability, sexual orientation, education, geography, cultural norms, etc. Basically, feminism must look at how all the different variables of any one person’s existence ‘intersect’ to compound their oppression, and shine a light on that to change it. Feminism is fundamentally about making life better, more fair, more just, more equal, for all people - not just women, or just white women, or just elite rich women.
What is the most important thing that PCR teaches in our work?
It’s hard to say, because our work is very holistic, and every aspect of it builds on another, and that’s key for achieving the best results. But if I had to nail it down, I would say a super critical concept we teach is that ‘gender’ is an idea that societies invent and perpetuate themselves, which has no basis in science. For example, the idea that only girls should do all the housework, this is an idea made up by people, and there is no basis for this belief or attitude in hard science. Girls are not born with some special gene that makes them ‘better’ at sweeping. The same goes for men and boys - the idea that men make the best leaders is also an idea made up by people and perpetuated over generations. There is nothing in any hard data that shows men or boys are somehow biologically predisposed to be better leaders. When young people come to understand this, they start to think critically and to reflect on their own identities, the things they think they can or can not do, and what others should or shouldn’t do, and why. This aspect is really critical for dismantling the illusion that gender roles as they are today are somehow this way ‘naturally’, that they are normal and acceptable, and can’t really ever be changed. This process of deep, personal reflection is fundamental for broader social transformation, which is what makes it so important.
What’s the one thing you wish every young girl understood?
The one thing I wish every girl understood is that the system she lives within, the way she is treated, the violence and discrimination she faces on a daily basis, are not normal - and they are wrong. I want every girl to know she is born completely equal to a boy, and she has rights, human rights, legal rights, to not have to live with or accept such discrimination, violence or oppression, and to speak up against it and speak out. We’ve seen from our work that when girls become aware of their rights, it has a huge impact on how they see themselves and what they deserve for their futures. Every girl deserves to know she is valuable, she has rights and she can act on them.
What’s your favourite movie?
This is a good question, because I used to be a filmmaker! I don’t know if I can pick just one, to be honest. I love so many of them. The Big Lebowski because it’s so wacky and creative and hilarious, and I also love When Harry Met Sally, because it’s funny and unconventional but also romantic. I am pretty sure I’ve seen both of those movies more times that I can count now! For documentaries, the film Garbage Warrior is excellent! And any Planet Earth films or episodes are a fave of mine, too.
Favourite part of Rwanda?
Has to be Lake Kivu. I grew up on the West Coast of Canada and I love to be around nature and water. I feel best when I am out of the city and more connected with the natural world.
Favourite thing to do after a hard day at work?
Put on pajamas, cook a nice dinner with my husband, and Netflix and chill.
“Harmful gender norms are created by people and can be changed. It is our responsibility as individuals and communities to change harmful gender norms that are within our culture.”
Clementine Nyirarukundo, Director
Paper Crown Rwanda
Why did you join Paper Crown? What drew you to the work?
I was interested because of Paper Crown’s participatory approach to fight gender inequality, by looking at the root drivers of inequalities and changing young people’s mindsets about their beliefs, social norms and their perception around different challenges they meet in their daily lives.
What’s the biggest change in attitudes you’ve seen over the last 5 years?
The biggest change I’ve noticed is when young people understand that gender norms are created by people and they are simply ideas that can be changed. It is eye-opening once you realize that you don’t have to believe in everything your society teaches you, especially if it’s harmful.
Do you have a favourite memory from working with PCR so far?
My favourite memory is working with young girls at Court Clubs, a project we did together with Shooting Touch. I liked how young girls took the initiative to change gender norms by challenging their parents’ and siblings’ beliefs around home chores, after spending only a few sessions with us. Some tried riding a bike for the first time, doing chores that are traditionally believed to be for boys, etc. It was an act of courage and evidence that it is possible to change our mindsets.
What’s your definition of feminism?
In simple words, feminism is a range of social / political movements that aim at fighting for equal full rights and opportunities between men and women.
What is the most important thing that PCR teaches in our training?
Harmful gender norms are created by people and can be changed. It is our responsibility as individuals and communities to change harmful gender norms that are within our culture by using our voices and changing our attitudes.
What’s the one thing you wish every young girl understood?
I wish every girl could understand that their voice matters, and most of what we believe about what we can/can’t do is built up from harmful gender norms that can be changed.
What’s your favourite food?
Uhmm… this is a hard one! Sweet potatoes..!
Favourite book?
Boundaries: by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Favourite thing to do after a hard day at work?
Take a long walk while listening to music / a podcast.