Following on from a highly successful ‘Boys Day Out’ in January of this year, the H.J. Robinson High School, through its Guidance Unit, today hosted a school day, exclusively for Girls, the first Girls’ Empowerment Day, under the theme “Cupcakes and Conversation – Young Women, Real Talk, Real Issues,”
Girls were in the company of their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, their mentors or some other woman whom that they hold in high esteem for a day.
This initiative was a part of the school’s effort to provide young girls with a friendly atmosphere where they can sit with other women, both young and old, for an engaging conversation, one that will ask the hard questions and get candid answers to relevant topics such as: Sex, Relationships, Reproductive Health & Wellness, Mental Health, Physical Health, Nutrition, Substance Abuse and much more, without the fear of being ridiculed by their peers or rebuked by their love ones.
It is recognized that during the adolescence years, teen girls are certain to face a plethora of challenges, the greatest of which may be making it through her adolescent years with her self-esteem intact. In addition, it is essential that she develops a sense of who she is and who she desires to be in the world as well as to have a ‘voice’ she feels confident with and is capable of using in a variety of forms and forums.
To this end, a number of resource persons were in attendance, including Minister of Health and Human Services and the acting Minister of Education, Hon Amanda Missick; Leader of the Opposition Hon Sharlene Robinson; Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Ms. Portia Clarke; Director of Mental Health and Substance Dependence, Dr. Alicia Malcolm; Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Doreen Quelch-Stubbs; Director of Gender Affairs, Co-ordinator for HIV/AIDS/STI’s, Mrs. Aldora Robinson; Ms. Claudette Rigby, a person living with HIV; Mrs. Carolyn Dickenson; Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Jackurlyn Sutton; Ms. Jayla Kennedy, a social worker in the department of Social Development and Gender Affairs; Sgt. Curvalene Skippings-Godette of the training division of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Miss Turks and Caicos Universe, Shanice Williams
The Hon Amanda Missick in her remarks, highlighted the theme “Cupcakes and Conversation – Young Women, Real Talk, Real Issues.”
She recognized the significance of the theme to a child’s life and the care that must be taken through every stage of their lives.
The keynote speaker, Miss Turks and Caicos Universe, Shanice Williams, in sharing with the audience her journey through high school, sought to focus on having a high self-esteem, which she said is dear to her. She says it’s an aspect of her life which she has made her personal philosophy; one which she endeavors to live by and which has motivated her throughout her experience.
Down to earth, no-holds-barred questions were submitted by students of H.J. Robinson High and fielded to members of the panel who all expressed their delight that students felt open and comfortable enough to verbalize their thoughts in such a forum and expressed the hope that the students at would have gained much insight from the down to earth answers that were so ably provided by all of the resource persons.
RTC News will share highlights of those H.J. Robinson High School’s first Girls’ Empowerment Day in our next newscast.
