In recognition of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, a special sitting of the Senate was held on Thursday to welcome the Girl Con group, a distinguished group of girls who play an important role in the development of young females.
“Today is about highlighting the various types of social discrimination and exploitations that girls face in their lives,” said Senate President Kay Forbes-Smith, who officially welcomed the girls to the upper chamber.
“There are still too many young girls being exploited on social media, still too many cases of incest in our communities, still too many cases of domestic violence, still an unleveled playing field for women seeking financial independence,” she said, adding that there should also be more preparation for women who are desirous of being political leaders.
“When 18,000 more females register to vote than men – as was evident in the 2012 election – and 54 per cent of the voters are female, and when one female sits at the Cabinet table we know we have more work to do,” she said.
The Senate President also revealed that 62 million girls around the world have no access to education, and she highlighted that only a few women held roles in the area of technology, politics and leadership.
Also empowering girls at yesterday’s sitting, Senator Kwasi Thompson encouraged the young women to reach for the stars as they go into different fields of work.
“I want to encourage all young women – coming from a father of four young girls – to know that you can be the best in the world at what you do.
“Shaunae Miller is the best in the world at what she does, I say this to you young women who are here because just as she is the best, she came from the same place you came from, the same parks you played on There is no reason whatsoever that you cannot be the best in the world at what you do.”
