Jennifer Steffek

Don't Judge My Gender Jennifer Steffek

This book is intended to engage children on the subject of gender equality and human rights. In September of 2015, the United Nations launched a set of goals, known as The Global Goals, to unite people throughout the world on global issues that affect us all. There are 17 Global Goals, each with specific targets to be achieved within the next 15 years. Global Goal #5 is regarding gender equality. After becoming aware of the HeForShe campaign initiated by UN Women, which was designed to engage boys and men on the issues of gender equality and women's rights by finding proactive ways of contributing to these issues, I knew that I wanted to find a creative way to contribute to this cause. I also wanted to find a way to engage my children, to make them aware of these issues and how they affect all of us. My younger son, Phoenix, by chance coined the phrase that is now the title of this book, and together we have collaborated on this journey. I have always been passionate about these issues for so many reasons, but it was when I saw how deeply I made a positive impact on other people's lives based on the responses and feedback that I've received, that I realized how important it is that I speak out. Through this journey, it has been the enthusiasm from others which has inspired me to take this from what started out as just a cute sassy comeback from my seven year old, to a meaningful outlet intended to reach out and help others. I saw this as an opportunity to make a positive difference in other people's lives. And this is the lesson I wish to instill in our children- that we each have the power to make a difference. So, let's make it count!