AS Guyana joined the world once again in the celebration of International Day of the Girl Child on Friday, October 11, 2019, a number of young girls and teenagers attending various secondary schools along the East Coast of Demerara, were urged to work assiduously towards achieving a status of independence.

During motivational remarks, Chairperson of the Demerara-Mahaica Regional Democratic Council (RDC)Region Four, Geneviene Allen, encouraged the students “to build your self-confidence and build your self-esteem and stand up boldly to fight against any challenges.”
The chairperson noted that the International Day of the Girl Child is a worthy celebration since Guyanese girls and women are privileged to participate in many activities, compared to those residing in other countries.

Allen advised the students to continue enriching themselves with higher knowledge, which, she noted, will guide them to attaining well-respected careers and positions in the future.
Sharing similar sentiments were Jenel Greene and Charlene Stephen, of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) who made presentations on the various types of abuse, their effects and steps being taken to curb this behavior.

Jillian Frank, social worker and youth officer at the Department of Social Cohesion, speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), noted that the event was planned mainly to raise awareness among young women in schools across the region. “In our ministry, we have five thematic areas; one of them is youth-in-education. We believe as we educate our young people, we will be able to inspire, empower, mould and motivate them so that they can make a difference in themselves as an individual, their community and country at large.”

The initiative was a collaboration between the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Demerara- Mahaica Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Four.

At the end of the ceremony, a representative of Massy Industries, one of the sponsors of the event, presented hampers to the young ladies. The schools also received plants, as Thursday marked National Tree Day.

Around the world, October 11 has been marked as the International Day of the Girl Child. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. (DPI)