– among Linden schoolgirls @ ‘girl power’ rally

LINDEN schoolgirls were on Friday fired up by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes to be the change they want to see in their respective communities, since they have the power in their hands to do so.
“Girl power” was the rallying call at a women and girls’ empowerment session hosted by the minister, and attended by several female regional officials, scores of female students and other regional officials.

The girls left motivated to bring about change, and to start a massive movement within their communities.
In her moving presentation, Minister Broomes encouraged the girls to use the power they have within in a positive way, and to advocate for change and to end social phenomena such as rape and violence.
Encouraging her young charges to be the best they can be at whatever they set their minds to do, Minister Broomes said:
“Whatever you are doing, push! And do it to your best, because you can be the best young girl! You want to push to change society!
“I want to encourage you to use your power to dream, girls! Dream and dream big!”
She further encouraged them to “block and delete” all negative forces that may try to ruin their dreams and aspirations.

She urged that they see the session as the start of a massive “girl power movement” in the communities, since she has come to realise while moving around the country that there are many feminine issues plaguing women.
“The cycle of dropping out of school, getting a baby, baby father left me, no job, mommy have to mind me and the grandchild,” the minister reeled off, has got to stop.
“You have the power to stop that, and stop it now!”she said. “You will go to school and finish school! You will give yourself the opportunity to be a girl and then a woman!”
The girls were encouraged to network and start social media groups, so that their peers who may be experiencing problems will not feel alone.
And with the country already feeling the pinch that comes with a brain drain, the pursuit of an education was also spoken of by the minister as she highlighted the need for educated and skilled young people to pilot the development of the oil and gas industry.
At the end of her speech, girls who wanted to discuss personal problems with the minister were invited to do so.

Mackenzie High School’s Zoe Sills encouraged her peers to push for success and to take up prominent roles in the world of work. Girls, she said, should play an integral role in community development, since the future of the country is in their hands.
Sills thanked Minister Broomes for being the perfect role model in encouraging young girls to push for success.

“Minister Broomes,” she said, “is now a household name in advocating for women’s rights. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you Madame Minister for not only being a role model, but for having the vision to host a forum like this.”