Soroptimist uplifts, educates Springer girls

Soroptimist International Barbados (SI Barbados) used the opportunity of the International Day of the Girl Child last Friday to celebrate and empower students of the all-girls Springer Memorial Secondary School.

The service club hosted a panel discussion, in line with this year’s theme – Girls’ Vision for the Future – which emphasised empowering young girls and ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive.

During the event, panellists discussed with the teens and pre-teens the importance of mental care, emotional care and menstruation. Psychologist Tanya Newton spoke on fostering positive mental health, Yasmin Kothdiwala and Tanisha Khan from PAREDOS discussed emotional well-being for young girls, and Dr Petra Crookendale talked about menstruation.

“It is essential that we empower our young girls with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive,” said President of Soroptimist International Barbados Peta-Lee Blackman. “By addressing issues like emotional health, mental health and menstruation openly, we help break down barriers and stigma, enabling them to reach their full potential.”

SI Barbados also relaunched their Period Dignity Project. The project was launched in 2021 to provide consistent and reliable access to period products for students, reducing the stigma and financial burden associated with menstruation. This aligns with the club’s mission to support and empower women and girls and directly contributes to achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

SI Barbados said the project makes a significant difference in the lives of the students by ensuring that menstrual hygiene is managed discreetly and effectively. It also enhances students’ comfort and confidence by ensuring access to menstrual products, reducing the likelihood of absenteeism related to menstrual issues, it added. The club said this has fostered a more inclusive and supportive school environment, enabling students to focus on their education without the disruption of menstrual-related issues.

Blackman noted: “This was an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of these young girls by fostering empowerment, mental well-being, and resilience. The conversations we had will have a positive impact.

“Additionally, we felt that this would be the opportune time to launch this year’s Period Dignity Project. To ensure its continued success we hope and encourage the public’s support and involvement in this important initiative by donating sanitary napkins to SI Barbados so that we can help our young girls in need of assistance.”

She also highlighted the club’s additional efforts like the Sister Forward Academy, designed to empower and uplift women and girls through education and skill development.

According to the UN, today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by global crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard-won gains for human rights and gender equality. It notes that too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures. Issues like access to education, legal rights, and physical and sexual violence against young girls and women are still too rampant.

(PR/BT)