A lot of young women who go into advocacy are overachievers, but it is okay to be just good, it is okay to even fail. What matters is that you try your hardest. The work needs to be done and you should just do it. Don't wait for it to be perfect.
–Scarlette Do (she/her)
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating just some of the amazing young women making change in Victoria.
Aida (she/her) is an Iranian artist and architect based in Naarm, Melbourne.
Since the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, Aida has become an advocate for the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement calling for equality and liberation of women in Iran.
Utilising her creative skills, she joined Feminista Melbourne, a group of artists and activists fighting for the freedom of the Iranian people.
“We want to use the voice we have here for the people who don’t have any voice back home,” she said.
The group produces art installations across Melbourne, which Aida said have been catalysts for conversations with strangers about the atrocities occurring in her home country.
“How people are engaging with these art installations is very, very touching,” she said.
While the work has taken a mental toll, Aida has a renewed sense of empowerment from raising funds and awareness.
“We never stop believing, we never stop pushing, even though it’s hard and emotionally draining.”
Korpo Sao (she/her) is a passionate anti-racism advocate and a student leader at her high school.
Korpo received a special mention in the Yarra Young Person of the Year awards in 2021 for winning a t-shirt design competition, with the sale profits supporting black and Indigenous women.
She uses her art to fight against racism, sexism, and bigotry, and successfully advocated for teachers at her school to be trained in anti-racism.
“My artwork allowed me to advocate for myself and advocate for other people,” she said.
After high school, Korpo is eager to study biomedicine and work to address medical biases against women and people of colour.
“Being a woman, I feel like no one really understands our body,” she said. “We get medically gas lit.”
Korpo encourages young women to find issues they are passionate about and use their voice to speak on it. “Even though you feel like no one’s hearing you, there are always people who are going to listen.”
Jessi Hooper (she/her) is a 23-year-old advocate for disabled young people and Paralympian-in-training.
She has an extensive list of skills, awards and experiences under her belt: from receiving the 2022 Glen Eira Young Citizen of the Year Award, to being recognised as a Vic Health Future Healthy Community Champion, to now training for the Paralympics in Boccia.
However, it was joining the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) Young Leaders Program in 2021 which really sparked her passion for advocacy.
“The program showed me opportunities and taught me a lot because at the time, I was only new to being disabled. I’d only been in the chair for a couple of years.”
“I had absolutely no confidence at all before I started and now if you get me talking about any disability topic, you can't get me to shut up.”
Jessi has big plans for her future and wants more young people to step up and use their voice to make change too.
“I would really love to work for YDAS or a Member of Parliament. If the work that I do is going to make a difference to just one person in the disability community, then that’s all I really care about.”
“We need more people to become advocates and speak up. Just freaking give it a go. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Scarlette Do (she/her) is the National Co-Director of One Woman Project, university educator and PhD candidate.
One Woman Project is a youth led, intersectional feminist organisation, upskilling volunteers aged between 18 and 35 years to challenge and fight gender inequality or injustice in their communities.
Scarlette’s work in this space is greatly influenced by her past experiences, like growing up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“From a very early age, I saw how women are kept in domestic spaces whereas men can go around and do whatever they want. I also experienced a lot of stigma and taboo around gender diversity and sexuality.”
Scarlette’s passion for mentorship and teaching shows through how she approaches her job as co-director, and how she views the role that people should play in feminist advocacy.
“I love being a part of the journey where I can teach other women, non-binary and trans people something.”
“This advocacy is always an uphill battle and it requires a lot of our resilience. So, it matters to surround yourself with a caring, passionate and like-minded community and use this as your foundation.”
Inspired? We are always interested in supporting young people on their advocacy journey. Become a Young Member (it's free!) for regular opportunities, or email info@YACVic.org.au to talk about advocacy issues that are important to you.