Media
Just watch them: 10 young Canadians who are making their mark in their communities and beyond
CBC, July 1, 2018Television
URL: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/canada-day-10-young-canadians
Arezoo Najibzadeh has been involved in politics since she was a teenager. But she’s seen barriers for young women who share her interest, and she’s determined to do what she can to help break them down.
How the #MeToo women’s movement is changing politics
Toronto Star, February 20, 2018Online
URL: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/02/02/how-the-metoo-womens-movement-is-changing-politics.html
“I don’t necessarily believe that adding more women to politics will change anything unless those women are willing to challenge the status quo,” Arezoo Najibzadeh
These women left politics because of harassment. Here’s how they’re fighting it now
MACLEANS, May 8, 2018Online
URL: https://www.macleans.ca/politics/women-left-politics-fighting-harassment/
The co-founders of the Young Women’s Leadership Network have created a resource for political parties on how to navigate claims of harassment and assault
Campaigns strengthen harassment training in the wake of MeToo movement
CBCOnline
"I believe that sexual violence, like every other form of oppression and violence, is a cultural one and policies can only go so far as to reacting to allegations and stories of sexual violence once survivors do come forward," Najibzadeh says."
Parliament Hill's weak anti-harassment policies and toxic culture are failing women
VICE, March 14, 2018Online
In the past three months, VICE News interviewed more than 40 women about sexual harassment on the Hill. These are their stories.
Everyday Acts Of Sexual Violence Are Far Too Common In Politics
Huffington Post Canada, March 20, 2017Online
"In a country that prides itself in its gender-equal cabinet, the question of whether or not Parliament Hill is a safe space for women is rarely discussed. From hateful and misogynistic comments to sexual assault, women in Canadian politics continue to be targets of violence at various stages of their careers."
Why 338 inspiring young women are taking over the House of Commons
Chatelaine, March 8, 2017Online
URL: http://www.chatelaine.com/living/politics/international-womens-day-daughters-of-the-vote/
"Arezoo Najibzadeh, the Daughters delegate from Newmarket-Aurora, has requested that her seat be left vacant to draw attention to the issue of sexual and gender-based violence."
Everyday Acts Of Sexual Violence Are Far Too Common In Politics
Published by Huffington Post Canada
March 20, 2017
"In a country that prides itself in its gender-equal cabinet, the question of whether or not Parliament Hill is a safe space for women is rarely discussed. From hateful and misogynistic comments to sexual assault, women in Canadian politics continue to be targets of violence at various stages of their careers."
Biography
Arezoo Najibzadeh is a leading voice for women's civic and political participation in Canada. As the founder and managing director of Platform (previously known as Young Women’s Leadership Network), she works with young women and gender-diverse youth to identify and address barriers against their engagement and success within grassroots and institutional politics. Most recently she established ‘It’s time’, a set of survivor-centric, trauma-informed resources for addressing sexual violence in political institution which has provided training to more than 100 politicians, political staff, and volunteers on creating consent culture within campaigns and on legislatures. She is regularly consulted by political and civic institutions on issues impacting young women and girls. As an award-winning activist and civic leader, Najibzadeh takes an anti-oppressive, intersectional feminist approach to creating equity and inclusion within spaces that have traditionally excluded marginalized voices. She regularly provides intersectional commentary at conferences and panels.
Recognition/Reconnaissance
Everyday Political Citizen | Personal
Samara's Everyday Political Citizen project celebrates the unsung heroes of Canadian democracy.
Daughters of the Vote Delegate | Personal
Arezoo was a delegate to the Daughters of the Vote Summit in celebration of 100 years of White women's suffrage in Canada alongside 337 other young women from across the country.