VNYC kickstarts ‘She Can Lead’ Program with 25 participants

Aug 13, 2024 | News | 0

The Vanuatu National Youth Council (VNYC) is hosting a three-week program from 12th to 30th of August, 2024.

The program, called “She Can Lead” (SCL), started yesterday at the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), with 25 selected females from the 11 Area Councils and the Wards in Port Vila participating.

“This three-week training will help us embark on our mandate to develop inclusive leadership participation at the youth level by building capacities among young females,” explained SCL Project Coordinator Georgilla Worwor.

The first week will focus on “Life Skills Training,” followed by “Civic Education” in the second week and “Adaptive Leadership” in the final week of the program.

Throughout the training, the participants will conduct community mapping and learn how to develop project proposals by working closely with their respective Area Administrators (AAs) and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs).

The VNYC has implemented a policy requiring that each Youth Council across the country must include both genders in every leadership role. Specifically, if the president of a Youth Council is male, the vice president must be female, and vice versa. However, the policy has not been fully implemented, as most leadership roles are still held by males.

President of the VNYC, Mr. Morry Ruben, is delighted to see 25 female participants take the opportunity to join the program and hopes to see more women engage in broader responsibilities.

Despite this policy, the Youth Council has identified a lack of female participation in leadership roles. Coordinator Worwor said, “When females contest for leadership positions, they receive fewer votes than their male counterparts.”

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the major partner funding this program.

The Project Manager of UNDP’s Vanuatu Electoral Environment Project (VEEP), Mr. Niaz Kandhir, was also present and expressed his support and excitement for partnering with the three-week program.

“We are here to support you, and it’s you, the 25 female participants on the front line, who will use this program to learn and develop into strong leaders,” he said.

Tanvasanok Area Council Representative, Leimanu Numalo, conveyed her enthusiasm: “I am very happy to be a part of this program. I have seen many women in leadership roles, and I want to be part of that leadership and develop those qualities.”

Asneth Lovo from Club Hippique stated, “It is my desire to be part of this program because I believe it will help me develop the skills needed to lead my community one day.”

The SCL aims to cultivate the leadership potential of young women by providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and resources to ensure they have the capacity, knowledge, and confidence to conduct community-driven initiatives and be active representatives in local governance.

The future is prepared today, and collective action is key to achieving the desired goals and promises to the people.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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