Speak it out.
This was the theme of the first-ever girls' symposium hosted by Women of Substance at the Canaan Bon Accord Multipurpose Facility, Tobago.
Founded by Onika Mars in 2017, Women of Substance is a non-governmental organisation which seeks to draw greater awareness to domestic violence and abuse in the society, primarily among girls and women.
The symposium, on October 11, was sponsored by Scotiabank. It coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child, which has been observed annually for the past ten years.
The theme of this year's observance was: Our Time Is Now, Our Rights, Our Future. October has also been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The event, which featured speakers from diverse backgrounds, sought to encourage young women not only to take charge of their lives but to raise their voices against domestic violence and abuse in their homes and communities. It featured girls from several secondary schools across the island.
Mars, a domestic violence survivor, set the stage for the discussion by referring to a UN report which said although there has been increased attention to issues affecting girls and women among governments and policymakers, as well as opportunities for them to have their voices heard on the global stage, investments in girls' rights remain limited.
According to the report, Mars said, girls continue to confront a myriad of challenges to fulfilling their potential. These are made worse by climate change, covid19 and gender-based violence. Mars said, however, adversity presents opportunities for people to be resourceful, creative and resilient.
She told the students they have the power to be change-makers, driving progress in their schools and communities.
"Empowering women and girls and promoting gender equality is crucial to accelerating sustainable development."
Mars said ending discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right but has a multiplier effect across all development areas.
[caption id="attachment_981248" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Women of Substance, founded by Onika Mars hosted the symposium for girls at the Canaan Bon Accord Multipurpose Facility.
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"You have greatness within you. Your time is now. So I encourage you to use your voices to speak out loud. Speak out against gender-based violence and abuse. Be your best selves. Be all that God has created you to be."
Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe Tya Jane Ramey, 24, delivered an interactive discourse on the theme of agency, claiming ownership of one's life and the consequences and decisions that arise from those choices. Ramey, who will represent this country at the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 14, 2023, told the students, "What I have found after celebrating ten years of the girl child is that you don't often assume this role of agency. Sometimes we don't have it. But I want to teach Caribbean girls, in particular because we have a lot more benefits than girls in other parts of the world, and I want
