Ten girls from across Blackburn with Darwen explored issues around gender equality and women’s rights on an International Women’s Day residential
Published Tuesday 12 March 2019 at 15:24
Inspired by International Women’s Day, 10 girls from across Blackburn with Darwen spent the weekend working together to explore issues around gender equality and women’s rights.
The borough’s Young People’s Service hosted a weekend residential at Waddow Hall near Clitheroe with a group of teenage girls, to mark International Women’s Day which was celebrated on Friday 8 March.
Together they studied female role models and explored gender stereotypes. The girls engaged in lively debates around occupations traditionally seen as male or female, and considered how their generation can help continue the work towards a more balanced society.
Sarah Milligan, Neighbourhood Youth Support Worker, said:
We had a great weekend with girls from across the borough. It was positive to see them develop as a group whilst participating in the activities to raise their awareness of issues affecting women in society.
The girls invited to take part came from youth clubs across the borough and youth programmes run by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Young People’s Services. Some of the candidates in the recent Youth MP elections were also involved.
13 year old Madison Walker took part in the residential. She said:
I enjoyed this weekend. It was really good and the people were really nice. I learnt lots and can’t wait to meet up with everyone again!
Councillor Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
It’s so important that this generation of females feel empowered to strive for a better balance between men and women. By giving them this experience, working with other girls from different schools and colleges, different parts of our borough and different cultures, helps them to understand that gender equality is an issue for us all.
Filed under : International Women's Day | Young Peoples Service