girlworks January/February 2025

Happy New Year! Whether you are deep in mid-year studies or otherwise feeling snowed under, take some time to reflect on the New Year ahead, your goals, habits you want to change - or make stronger. It’s also a good time to reflect on the world around you, particularly other girls and women, and how you can make your corner of the world a better place. Take some time out to enjoy these great articles: In this issue: • Realistic New Year Resolutions • Spring fashion florals • Snapshot of Women in the World in 2025 • Consider a career was a Physician Assistant • Using Tech in 2025 • Art for Mental Health • And much more… Coming in March/April: • Best YA novels • Why do we Care…

As we enter a quarter century of this millennium—2025—we’re stepping back to look at how things are going for women all over the world. Where are women successful and where are the challenges? The international community as a whole has committed to achieving gender equality by 2030. However, the many global crises underway are a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action to promote greater equality worldwide: women and girls are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts, pandemics, climate change and economic crises. At the 2024 United Nations General Meeting UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed: “Patriarchy is far from vanquished; it is regaining ground”. Women and girls are also facing a war on their fundamental rights at home and in their communities. Autocrats and populists are promoting what they…

PAs are NOT medical assistants, or administrative assistants. PAs practice medicine, and provide a wide range of clinical services including patient assessment, ordering and interpreting investigations, formulating and communicating diagnosis, prescribing medication, performing procedure and plans. Salary: $50 - $75/hr in Canada and US On a typical day, the roles and responsibilities of a PA include: • Making rounds and performing patient exams • Diagnosing illnesses • Assisting in surgery • Ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and X-rays • Prescribing medications • Developing and managing treatment plans • Advising patients on preventative care and optimal health practices While PAs work in collaboration with a supervising physician, this does not mean they work under direct supervision of a physician. Most work independently, operating under a set scope of practice determined by…

Technology is amazing and you should learn as much as you can about what’s new in tech, tech leaders (too few are women), tech stocks and laws around tech - particularly privacy. Technology is also evasive, meaning it is probably impacting your life in all ways, both negative as well as positive. As a teen you want more control over your tech time and access, but you need to acknowledge that tech has an outsized influence on your generation. Your grandparents did not have cell phones, access to the web (no YouTube!), personal computers, or social media. Teens who spend an average of 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health issues including depression. While science and technology has changed generations, personal technology allows…

CLEAN YOUR BEDROOM OVER THE WINTER HOLIDAY Set aside a day to organize and de-clutter to jazz up your new year. Done! TRY TO BE MORE THANKFUL FOR YOUR PARENTS AND SIBLINGS, AND TELL THEM It may be hard to live with them, but they love you. EXPLORE NEW HOBBIES Maybe you have always wanted to try chess. Set a goal. DRINK MORE WATER Swap out the occasional soda or energy drink for water. SPEND LESS TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA Try to go one day a week without it. EAT FRUIT AND VEGGIES EVERY DAY They are great for your health and are a natural source of energy. TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR SKIN Wash your face before bed and use SPF. PRACTICE GRATITUDE This is a lifetime resolution, worthy…

Some sports serve your body and soul better than others over a lifetime. They are sports that lead to fewer injuries, better social opportunities and a longer life. Results from the 25-year Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS) in Mayo Clinic Proceedings after tracking more than 8,500 people, found that these sports and activities increased life expectancy for active participants the most compared to less active peers. Starting any sport is good, but continuing a sport long-term (ideally life-long) is the golden ticket. You don’t have to choose just one … you can mix up any combination, learn new skills, and meet new people by learning a new sport every few years. These are the top sports for a longer life, and the statistical number of years you would add to…