Change Justice – Empowering Somali Girls and Young Women

The project will provide leadership opportunities for Somali girls and young women to support their peers in understanding and navigating the complexity of the justice system and become advocates to address systemic roots of criminalization. There is a growing trend (even though there has yet to be updated research and statistical data beyond stats Canada examining Black representation in incarceration) of Somali girls and women becoming vulnerable to the criminal justice system, reflecting an over representation in detention centers. There is a need to conduct qualitative research led by Somali youth for Somali youth, to look into this growing phenomenon, assess the risk factors and best solutions to minimize another form of criminalization of the Somali community in Canada. This project aims to combine both direct educational engagement about the criminal justice system, and research focus on the emerging trend of Somali girls and women coming into contact with the law. The project will enable young girls and women to view the justice system from the perspective of those who administer the system, including judicial officials, law enforcements, victims services providers, defense counsel, Crown Attorneys and others who are integral to the functioning of the system. This direct interaction with justice system actors is intended to be a learning opportunity for youth around the specific roles of each of those participants and avenues for change in the justice system to address inequities and disparities in outcomes for Somali youth, who are Black and Muslim.