Girls Leadership programme
Empowering young women to take leadership roles in urban sustainability and civic engagement

Mashhad is the second largest metropolis in Iran with a population of over 3 million residents. Like most large cities it faces sustainability issues such as air pollution, increasing population and limited green space. The Girl’s Leadership programme developed by the Mashhad Municipality provides an opportunity to educate the female student population about urban sustainability and simultaneously encourage participation in civic affairs. The average age of the target group ranges from 8 to 11 as research indicates that when young people are exposed to leadership and team-work behaviours at an early age, they will more likely develop these talents as they grow older. In Iranian culture women play a significant role in influencing the family unit in community matters and this is a fundamental reason for focussing the programme on girls.

metropolis report