Felicia Browne is a Human and Gender Justice Advisor for the Caribbean Mentorship Institute.
Mentoring is arguably one of the best solutions for social transformation. It is said that mentoring develops the character, self esteem, civic and social responsibilities, and spiritual growth of young persons. Mentoring of young girls and women has positively shaped their lives and their communities.
The profound values of mentoring have created life-changing legacies by which our youth can gain knowledge and practical skills towards their development.
Our mentoring roles as educators, nurturers, providers, and leaders are major contributing factors of our social and economical livelihoods. We, as mentors in our society, have been influential in our civic and humanitarian responsibilities. We have the innate ability to rise against the various forms of structural barriers that has continued to hinder our progress as women.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, may we also be mindful of other women and girls that face these hindrances on a daily bases through the global.
Gender-based challenges like poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment, human and child trafficking, child abuse and adequate access to health care are too often overlooked within many societies. Our experiences, hopes and aspirations have provided consistent and effective solutions for our youth.
Today, we celebrate our identities as women- we are mindful that we have been strategically placed to foster growth and wellness for our future generations. We are prepared as inspirations for our young women and men; by we setting the best examples and standards for their young contemporaries. Our youth are our leaders who will shape our futures for us. They are the ones that will one day guide and protect us during our final days on earth. We must continue to encourage them to seek the best within themselves- and their communities.
As women, we are natural advocates and leaders – and believe that justice, equality and fairness should to be given to every living being. We believe that a vision of unity and peace for homes and communities. As a peaceful society- we encourage our women and youth to aspire to their highest potentials- within their homes, communities and country. We embrace peace and compassion because we believe that every human beings- as well as living things- have the ability to suffer.
Today, as we inspire each other- we pledge to provide guidance, peace and unity to each other as women and girls. May we as a people, continue to mentor, provide good counsel to one another, and become successful leaders in society. We are indeed a proud Country and nation.
Happy International Women’s Day.