On November 6, 2024, I woke up with a dread in the pit of my stomach. I had spent the previous night at a watch party hosted by my friend Lin. We drank a lot of wine and hoped for the best. Fox News and CNN were on simultaneously, trying to help us make sense of the election returns. We finally left post-midnight, hoping for the best.
In the wake of the elections, many of us who are unhappy with the outcome may feel an urgency to act and push forward the values and changes we believe in. Yet, one of the most important things to remember is that not everyone will think or feel as we do. Many people from different walks of life see the world through a lens shaped by their unique experiences, challenges, and fears. And that is okay. What matters now is how we respond. It is a moment where we need to build bridges, reach out, and craft messages of peace and trust that resonate beyond our circles.
This is a tall order for young women and youth especially. The change they long for often seems slow to come, and it’s easy to feel that human rights are slipping away or that the system is stacked against them. The headlines can feel relentless, overwhelming the fight for justice and equality. But as Kamala Harris’s campaign showed us, inspiring, engaging, and uniting people across differences is possible. With less than three months to go, she took the mantle her boss thrust on her with stride. Her approach was not just about rallying supporters but about creating a sense of belonging, where people from all backgrounds felt they had a role to play. Now, we can take those lessons and apply them within our communities.
At my organisation, Red Dot Foundation, we understand the power of leading by example. In our work to document sexual abuse, we do not name, shame, or blame the perpetrators. Instead, we use historical data to identify patterns and trends that communities can work on collectively. We create safe spaces for dialogue and bring different stakeholders together for radical collaboration. We set a standard for others to follow whenever we make these safe spaces and use evidence-based data to advocate for change. We can model the values of trust, empathy, and cooperation. When we show that we are willing to work together, even when opinions differ, we inspire others to do the same.
One example is our consent and gender sensitivity workshops in schools and communities. These spaces are where young people learn to challenge harmful gender norms, identify unconscious bias, and use shared experiences to guide solutions. They remind us that it is possible to find common ground even in disagreement.
The beauty of building bridges lies in focusing on what we share. We all want to live in communities that are safe, supportive, and full of opportunity. We want to feel heard, seen, and respected. Instead of highlighting our differences, let us focus on finding these commonalities. When we approach conversations with this spirit, we open doors to meaningful dialogue and create a foundation for trust.
I see this every day in the actions of our Youth Safety Champions. After understanding the data from the Safecity app, where we collate incidents of violence, they started organising safety workshops on their college campuses and in their communities, bringing together young people, police, and residents to discuss neighbourhood safety concerns. These conversations are about listening and building trust, showing us that bridging divides starts with understanding and sharing common ground.
For change to be lasting, it must be rooted in trust and peace. It does not mean avoiding difficult conversations but approaching them with a mindset that seeks to understand rather than convince them. Instead of polarising messages or accusations, we need narratives that show empathy, resilience, and a genuine desire to connect. Peaceful communication is about listening as much as speaking, recognising that everyone’s voice has value. I am reminded of our Safe Circles peer listening groups for adult survivors. We listen without judgment but offer solidarity and comfort. These circles are a powerful example of empathy in action. When you listen to someone’s experience firsthand, you build a shared sense of responsibility, and that is where true collaboration begins.
In many ways, I believe this moment reflects a more significant shift — one I wrote about in Living in a Feminine Era. This idea is grounded in the ancient Mayan belief that we have just ended a 2000-year masculine cycle and are now transitioning into a feminine era. We are at a pivotal moment that calls for nurturing, collaboration, and mutual support rather than dominance or division. A shift like this often brings uncertainty but also opportunity — the chance to reimagine how we approach leadership, community, and dialogue. It is not about feminine versus masculine energy but balance, empathy, and inclusivity taking a front seat. And while this transition can feel unsettling, it is a call for us to embrace these qualities as we step forward.
As young women and youth, your strength lies in your resilience and your capacity to hope. Let us infuse our work with these qualities. It is not easy to bridge divides or to engage with people who may disagree with us. But it is precisely in these moments that our commitment to unity and peace becomes a beacon. Creating messages of hope reminds people of what is possible and the brighter future we can build together. Our Youth Safety Champions exemplify this spirit in the various safety workshops they lead for youth, equipping them with tools for a safer online and offline experience. Their work shows us the power of collective care, proving that change happens in one conversation, one shared lesson at a time.
In times of division, it is easy to retreat into our corners to find comfort in the company of like-minded people. But the real work of change happens when we step out, extend our hands, and commit to creating a world of trust and respect. My friend Linda Lopez suggested we share our 3 Ts — Talent, Treasure and Time. We are not alone but can collectively make a difference. After all, we share this planet, and each has a role in making it a place where everyone feels valued.
So, let us keep working, building bridges, and creating the messages of peace and trust that our communities need. Together, we can rise above our differences and build a future where everyone has a place. It is our chance to lead, uplift, and show that we will not be divided — we will rise together.
