WHAT ROLE DOES RESEARCH PLAY IN BUILDING A MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE?
When we think about advocating for a more equitable future, where youth have a meaningful voice in decision-making spaces, research plays a key role.
How so?
Fora's Research Assistants (and accomplished advocates) Kassandra Neranjan, Mekhalaa Muraly and Ariana Seferiades share their reflections on the role research plays in moving towards a future that gives young leaders meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making.
Former Research Fellow, Ariana shares her thoughts:
“Feminist research takes the lived experiences of young people seriously!”
Research, especially when grounded in feminist principles, is essential for enacting social change towards a society that is more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.
Research allows us to identify systemic flaws, barriers, and biases that function to silence the voices of young people in decision-making spaces across societal platforms.
Feminist research takes the lived experiences of young people seriously, providing insights into the everyday obstacles they face to fully participate in public life, and the strategies they employ to navigate power dynamics.
By integrating their lived experiences, research equips decision-makers to connect theoretical frameworks with practical realities and to formulate tangible strategies to influence public policy.
Fora Research Assistant, Kassandra shares her thoughts:
“Research provides an opportunity to unearth and amplify truths that are under-recognized and over-exploited, to help us make sure that no one is left behind.”
At the heart of research is the quest for the truth... And a recognition of the co-existence of multiple truths intersecting and diverging as we attempt to forge social order that benefits all.
Research provides an opportunity to unearth and amplify truths that are under-recognized and over-exploited, to help us make sure that no one is left behind. It is a means of justice-seeking based in facts, data, and lived realities.
It is essential that research always plays a role in advancing social justice -- to do right by and hold itself accountable to the communities gender equity work purports to serve.
Fora Research Assistant, Mekhalaa shares her thoughts:
“Research plays a vital role in the evolution of society by giving voice to the silenced and by empowering us to take action when necessary.”
Research helps broaden our understanding of intricate global challenges and provides means to enhance public awareness by fostering social consciousness.
Through an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of and the challenges faced by diverse communities of people, research provides data and evidence to dissipate myths and misapprehensions and to draw attention to the necessity of taking action to alleviate gender-based injustices.
By exposing hidden truths about reality, research helps corroborate the exercise of policies & practices that hold institutions and societies accountable for their commitment to promoting gender equity. I believe that research plays a vital role in the evolution of society by giving voice to the silenced and by empowering us to take action when necessary.