Responsive program development

Much of the girls’ programming appears to be developed by staff at agencies and organizations, sometimes in response to a research-based need (i.e. to increase girls activity levels) where such research exists, or an expressed desire of girls who want to participate. Some have designed creative participatory research approaches to engage
girls in the identification of their program needs and possibilities as well as gaps. The Young Women Work research project in inner city Winnipeg and the Girls Decide project in Newfoundland and Labrador are two such examples. The National YWCA has recently set up a young women’s committee to inform their programming and work with girls and young women.