This article introduces the artwork and stories of women from around the world, highlighting several social issues, including protection from forced or early marriage, access to reproductive health, and protection from child labor.
The resource includes sculptures, paintings, photography, and a short video and focuses on human rights and gender equality.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The artwork gives students real-world examples of how creativity and the arts can be combined with advocacy and education to create positive change.
The article gives examples of artwork by people from various countries and backgrounds.
Additional Prerequisites
The article briefly touches upon a few topics, such as child abuse and sex trafficking, that may be triggering for some students.
Calls to action are available for each artwork and can be viewed by clicking on "Act."
The article introduces topics like feminist theory and social justice, which the teacher can expand upon in class.
Have students reflect on the importance of empowerment in addressing social issues and how gender equality and access to education and healthcare are connected to climate change.
As a follow-up activity, have students look into the work of the groups and projects presented.
This video can be used to expand on women's empowerment.
The connections between the rights of women and girls and climate change are outlined in this TED video, so have your students watch this before or after viewing this art gallery to make the connection.
Scientist Notes
This resource is a collection of art, and other projects that focus on the theme of empowerment and social change. There isn’t much scientific content included, and the topics are not all environment focused. However, this could provide examples of how students can use art to express themselves and communicate important messages on health, responsible consumption, and social change. Although, this doesn't specifically mention climate but it is recommended for teaching.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Civics
D2.Civ.10.9-12 Analyze the impact and the appropriate roles of personal interests and perspectives on the application of civic virtues, democratic principles, constitutional rights, and human rights.
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.6.9-12 Use disciplinary and interdisciplinary lenses to understand the characteristics and causes of local, regional, and global problems; instances of such problems in multiple contexts; and challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address these problems over time and place.
National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Standard 7 - Perceive and analyze artistic work.
VA:Re7.1.IIIa Analyze how responses to art develop over time based on knowledge of and experience with art and life.
VA:Re7.2.Ia Analyze how one’s understanding of the world is affected by experiencing visual imagery.
Visual Arts: Standard 8 - Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
VA:Re8.1.Ia Interpret an artwork or collection of works, supported by relevant and sufficient evidence found in the work and its various contexts.
