COURTS and the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central (RCGC), over the weekend, teamed up to launch Girls’ Empowerment Retreat 2023, which was held at the School of the Nations.
The retreat, which catered to thirty-five girls 13 to 16 years old, was designed to give them the opportunity to focus on matters related to self-care and personal development with the ultimate aim of developing their leadership skills. This retreat was organised as part of Courts’ partnership to recognise the International Day of the Girl Child.

According to Rotary, the empowerment for girls is the ability to make choices and create positive change in their own lives, as well as in their families and communities. Empowered girls become empowered women. Therefore, reaching out to the girls of our world is the heart and purpose of Rotary’s Empowering Girls Initiative. The main aim of the retreat was to inspire, educate and empower girls in difficult circumstances to reach their full potential as well as boost self-confidence and help them understand the importance of personal development.
Eldri Ferguson-Mackey, Director of Marketing and Merchandising, Guyana and the Dutch Caribbean, for Courts says that she expects that the event’s impact to extend beyond the day itself and set the stage for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the girls’ self-esteem, confidence, and skills aligned with their career aspirations.

The retreat is the first part, in what is expected to become an ongoing partnership between Unicomer, through its Courts brand, that will introduce the participating girls to basic life skills training, focusing on areas such as self-care and wellness, emotional intelligence, teamwork, communication, problem solving, financial literacy, entrepreneurship and healthy relationships.

The expected outcomes of the initial retreat are expected to be: boosted confidence, self-esteem and understanding the importance of self-care and personal development with the ultimate aim of enhancing their awareness of developing the relevant skills that align with their career goals and allow for employability. Unicomer Guyana has committed to implement (in collaboration with RCGC) a mentorship programme with women in leadership across the Unicomer Guyana network, and 35 girls, commencing in January.

Among the day’s activities were presentations on self-discipline, self-discovery & goal setting, digital etiquette, digital wellness, developing leadership skills & self-confidence and sessions on self-care. The courts team also facilitated a “Lunch and glam session” as part of the day’s activities.