2020
Ashlee A Burnett
- Age: 25
- | She/her/hers
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As a young Caribbean queer woman, I have learned the importance of intersectionality. We, the youth, have been placed in a unique position where we can now create and contribute to making the world we want to live in; a world of equality with access to SRHR and inclusivity.
- Ashlee A Burnett
Bio
Ashlee Burnett (she/her) is queering, querying and carrying the Caribbean forward. The Trinbagonian-born writer and advocate, is a 2020 Women Deliver Young Leader and part of the Young Leaders programme till 2022. She/her is the founder of Feminitt Caribbean, an Intersectional Caribbean Feminist NGO where she leads a dynamic and passionate core team and volunteers and that uses education, social good, and conversation to advance Gender Justice in the Caribbean. Currently, Ashlee is the Chair of the Caribbean Women in Leadership Trinidad and Tobago National Chapter (CIWiL) and a CIWiL board member. She is also a member of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust Network. Additionally, she/her has recently been appointed as an Advisor to the Global Advisory Committee for the Caribbean region at FRIDA, The Young Feminist Fund.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
In the Caribbean, I've often been the only woman in many spaces, as most spaces are male dominant. Throughout my engagement in various institutions, I've always seen the gender gap and difference in treatment and made a vow to myself to create better spaces for me and everyone one step at a time to ensure that girls and women have a seat at the table, always.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
I spearheaded and launched Feminitt, a project to lead discourse and redefine Caribbean culture in areas such as sexuality, gender equality, and gender-based violence. I use spoken word to engage in meaningful conversation in secondary schools to confront and develop projects to revisit the normal.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Reading, writing poetry, yoga, going to the beach, trying out new foods at different restaurants, and blogging about food.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- GBV
- women's political participation
- SRH services for women and young girls
- access to abortion and contraceptive services
- access to healthcare services for LBTQI women
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Young Women In Leadership Certification by ParlAmericas and CIWIL
- Youth Parliamentarian by ParlAmericas, CIWIL, and the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament
- NGO Management Certification by The State University of New York & Luther College at the University of Regina
- Gender-Based Violence Crash Course Workshop from the Institute for Gender Development Studies
