Supporting Gender Equity

Gender equity issues are at the forefront of many minds at the moment. As children navigate the world they are becoming increasingly aware of the inequities in everyday life between genders and the pandemic has only exacerbated this divide. Susan Hughes explores gender equity in her new picture book Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood up for Gender Equality part of the CitizenKid line up by Kids Can Press.

Susan Hughes along with illustrator Nicole Miles, transport us to Malawi a small country in Africa where we meet Victor and his twin sister Linesi. Since they turned eight, Linesi must walk back and forth from the Village to the water source every day 5 times a day to help their mother while Victor continues to go to school. When an inspiring teacher challenges the school children to examine their lives and whether there is equality Victor quickly realizes the priveledge to education and fun he receives while Linesi must now work to help the family. He is inspired to help take some of the burden from his sister so that she can also continue to go to school.

Walking for Water is inspired by a true story of a boy who did the same for his community. It’s a fantastic story to begin discussions with young readers about gender equality and inequality and how there are places in the world and right here at home where everyone is not always granted the same opportunities. The CitizenKid line up of books help readers create a global mindset, to understand the issues that affect children all across the world and the things that they can do right here at home to help.

The illustrations by Nicole Miles are full of colour and joy. The two page spreads invite the reader into the story and at times create a graphic novel feel to the book, which I love. Both Susan Hughes and Nicole Miles consulted many different people to ensure the story and the depictions reflect the lives of Malawians.