Local author Barbara Adzajlic to host two expert talks in Elgin to celebrate the release of her new book 'Challenging Gender Stereotypes in the Early Years: Changing the Narrative'

A LOCAL author plans to host two talks in Elgin sharing her expertise on how to stop gender stereotyping.

Barbara Adzajlic will be speaking in Elgin town centre this weekend to celebrate the release of her new book 'Challenging Gender Stereotypes in the Early Years: Changing the Narrative'.

The former Forres Academy pupil, who now works as a Health Improvement Lead with the NHS, was inspired to write to share her insights on the topic.

Barbara said: "My current role is in children and young people's mental health and wellbeing but previously I worked on the prevention of gender based violence.

"In that role, with my colleague Susie Heywood, I developed and delivered the Gender Friendly Nursery, a programme of training and accreditation for early years practitioners to understand the harms of gender stereotypes and to give them tools, confidence and a framework to improve their practice.

"We wrote the book during 2020 and 2021, based on our experience of running that programme and also on the many, many hours we had spent on our own time researching and learning more about the issues."

During the talk, Barbara will share her insights on the impact of gender stereotyping and discuss tools she has developed to help children navigate the world. The talk will also be followed by an audience Q&A.

She explained: "Gender stereotypes are messages we give to children from a very young age and thoughout their lives. They promote one set of messages about expectations and possibilities to boys and another, very different set to girls.

"The negative impacts of gender stereotypes have implications for children’s learning, play, and self-expression.

"Addressing gender stereotypes and inequality also plays a vital part in preventing gender based violence, promoting emotional literacy and reducing suicide in boys and men, addressing other mental health inequalities, tackling gender inequalities in education and career paths, reducing homophobia and transphobia and promoting equality in the workplace and the home.

"If we can reduce gender stereotyping then we can start to address some of the root causes of these problems."

She added: "I'm excited to have a trip home to Moray and this is a great opportunity to chat to people who may or may not have read the book or who might be thinking about this topic, or who might be interested in developing 'gender equitable practice' in their setting, and to hopefully to pass on some useful tips, advice and contacts. And maybe even to try to convince anyone who isn't sure."

Barbara's two expert talks, titled 'Gender Stereotypes in the Early Years: Origins, Impacts and Solutions' will take place at the Business Gateway Office at 17 High Street, Elgin on Friday February 3 and Saturday February 4.

Tickets cost £5 and are available online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/christina-macfarquhar-the-beautiful-minds-pop-up-space-elgin-59532842063