To celebrate International Day of the Girl, RISE: 2018, a new conference brought together some of the most influential female figures in Ireland to discuss mental health, sexuality, ambition and more with 350 girls in transition year.
The line up, which included best-selling author Caroline Foran, influential Sunday Times journalist Ellen Coyne and adapted adventurer Nikki Bradley, was put together to speak to this generation of young girls - one driven to change society, own their individuality and push at barriers.
Organised by The Shona Project, a "survival kit for girls" which visits schools giving talks on self-belief and how to find your place in society, in cooperation with the Waterford Library Service and Beat 102 -103, the free event took months to plan and had been long booked up in advance.
"Confidence IS a female quality". @ellenmcoyne #internationaldayofthegirl #rise2018 pic.twitter.com/3sONO5djZs
— THE SHONA PROJECT (@shonadotie) October 11, 2018
Tammy Darcy, founder of The Shona Project said "Now, more than ever we need to provide safe environments for our young women to reflect on the enormous challenges that life throws at them." Darcy came to see the need for this kind of forum though her secondary school workshops, which would cover everything from ambition and goal setting to self-love and kindness.
The event featured talks on owning your anxiety, the things you should be aware of when you're young, falling in love with your body, making every second count and how helping others can help you.
The emotional day concluded with a symbolic bubble release to a live performance by Cork’s Stephanie Rainey of her song ‘100 Like Me’, the unofficial anthem of The Shona Project for the past two years and which advocates for more visibility around mental health in Ireland.
Speaking to RTÉ Lifestyle, Darcy expressed how thrilled she was at the event, saying it was "so much more powerful than we could ever have hoped for".
"The energy in the room built as the day went on and by the end the students, speakers, and organising team were dancing on chairs surrounded by bubbles."
What an amazing moment this was!! #RISE2018 @WaterfordLibs @beat102103 @stephanierainey https://t.co/A4F78yLPey
— THE SHONA PROJECT (@shonadotie) October 11, 2018
Darcy says that the main theme of the day was "I am enough", a central phrase in her workshops. She said the phrase was "repeated time and time again and the girls chanted it together as we closed. We all need to remind ourselves of that".
Far from being a lecture, the event was fun and interactive, something that the girls responded to. "They had a ball", Darcy said. "We gave them great goodie bags, chocolate milk and cake pops. That has to be better than a day in school right?"
With such a response, the team are already thinking of making the conference a staple in the Irish calendar. "We planned for this to be a pilot to try out the format, and see what works with a view to making it bigger and better next year. We’re very happy, and inspired to do it again, so we can reach more girls."
After a few days off to catch their breaths, Darcy says brainstorming will pick up again. Also on the agenda is a similar event for young boys.
"Our experiences are pretty different, but we all have challenges, and our young people need to see that we care about them and are invested in their future."
