I ♥ Being A Girl

‘Inspirations’ is a collection of short stories authored by girls and young women intent on challenging stereotypes and achieving their goals. Published earlier in 2012 as an e-book by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) through its ‘Girls Decide’ programme, the assemblage was the result of a project and website called ‘I ♥ Being A Girl.’ Inésita’s own story was included based on a piece she originally wrote for a postcard series called 'My World,' reflecting the struggle faced in being a transgender girl within a society where “for a boy to look like a girl is degrading.”

The book is the brainchild of Bulgarian NGO-activist Maya Koumanova and seeks to inspire and empower young women by offering them a place where they can freely share and exchange experience, personal views and ideas. Delightfully presented in pink and pastel shades with a design that resembles a scrapbook or a girl’s dressing table, at its heart is a set of personal reflections on the challenges related to gender and equality. “Both girls and boys have to fight with prejudice, stereotypes and sometimes discrimination when it comes to their sexuality, job aspirations, freedom of expression or sometimes just feeling comfortable in a relationship” write those behind the I ♥ Being A Girl initiative, which includes the Youth Sexual Awareness for Europe (YSAFE) network.

Intending to foster more than a little solidarity among the female community, the e-book will encourage girls to be stronger and more confident in the fight against injustice and in bringing about positive change for good. Its contents, which include seven heartfelt personal stories ranging from that of an 11 year old Romanian on the relative unimportance of pink and blue, to a Hungarian medical student's trials and tribulations and of course a transgirl called Inésita, can be viewed here. If you are interested in getting involved, contributions to the ‘I ♥ Being A Girl’ project are still welcome via email to: iheartbeingagirl@gmail.com. Enjoy and please share widely!

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