Entertainment

YouTube Partners With United Nations To Support Female Filmmakers

Who run the world? Girls!

by Hayden Manders

March is Women's History Month. On Tuesday, March 8, the world will celebrate and honor International Women's Day. Ahead of that, though, YouTube is partnering with the United Nations to help foster, support, and amplify the female voices on the platform, through two new initiatives: the YouTube Spaces program and the Change Ambassadors program that aligns with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development action campaign.

The YouTube Spaces initiative is a global endeavor geared toward empowering women, both in front of and behind the camera. More than 50 videos were created in various spaces around the world (think: London, Berlin, Los Angeles, New York, and more). Young, emerging voices were mentored by six chosen, established YouTubers. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has also consulted with the creators to ensure equal gender representation behind the scenes and within them. You can already see some of the YouTube Spaces videos here.

YouTube's Change Ambassadors program will put appointed female creators within the U.N. There, they'll rally and advocate for gender equality. (Talk about power to the people.) It's so exciting to see brands and corporations championing female voices, for once. We can only hope that Hollywood will follow suit.

Susan Wojcicki, YouTube's CEO, said in a press release, "YouTube has always been a platform where women of all ages and backgrounds can find their voice and tell their stories. Through our global YouTube Spaces program and new partnership with the U.N., we'll strengthen female voices on YouTube and around the world."