Last Updated on September 2, 2022, 3:13 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Ministry of Gender Affairs held a ceremony at the Lodge/Ottleys Community Center to launch its Girls Empowerment Movement & Sisterhood (GEMS) Programme on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. This mentorship programme aims to build character and encourages young females to be productive members of society.
Launching the Girls Empowerment Movement and Sisterhood (GEMS) Programme will help to ensure that at-risk girls across St. Kitts and Nevis can grow and develop with guidance from knowledgeable and caring individuals.
Minister of Social Development and Gender Affairs, Dr Geoffrey Hanley, wholly supported the establishment and aims of the GEMS programme.
“I am excited because today, we provide another opportunity for the youth of our Federation, specifically our girls, to grow safely,” said Deputy Prime Minister Hanley.
He added that the “Girls Empowerment Movement and Sisterhood programme focuses on assisting girls in embracing the journey of self-discovery by providing empowerment, encouragement, structure and support which enables girls to make wiser decisions to aid in the transition to womanhood.”
Dr Hanley highlighted the value of mentorship, conveying that it played a pivotal role in shaping his character when he was younger. He remarked that the theme of the programme: ‘Girls Under Construction – Building a Firm Foundation for a Stronger Future,’ is quite fitting given its goals.
Dr Hanley said he was looking forward to seeing the fruits of the GIrls Empowerment programme and encouraged all stakeholders to support the GEMS programme and other initiatives under the continued rollout of the National Gender-Equality Policy and Plan of Action.
Heartfelt commendations were expressed to Kasandra Bedford, the author of GEMS, and the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs team for implementing the programme. The mentors and young people to be mentored were also hailed for embracing this new venture.
Along with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Affairs, Dr Geoffery Hanley, Permanent Secretary in the Ministery of Social Development and Gender Affairs, Janelle Lewis-Tafari; Director of Gender Affairs, Virgil Jeffers; Resident Ambassador of the ROC (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, Michael Lin, were also in attendance at the launch of the Girls Empowerment Movement and Sisterhood Programme Event.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
