The following was issued today by Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women:

I rise today to inform the house of a very important program supported my department, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newfoundland and Labrador Girls Decide Initiative.

Girls Decide is sponsored by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. It offers young women the opportunity to take a leadership role in developing events, activities and supports based on the identified needs and concerns of female youth in the province.

Seven young women ages 19 to 30 have been hired through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newfoundland and Labrador to lead the program in eight clubs across the province. These young women have held focus groups to identify the needs and types of programs young girls and women would like to see in their local Boys and Girls Club.

I am happy to report the department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment has provided the Girls Decide Initiative with $5,000 in support of this important program.

Members of the Girls Decide Committees in each club will become the programmers of sessions, generating meaningful skill development and leadership experiences that will keep them engaged and increase female participation and success in community, school, and club life.

The outcomes of this program are significant. Programs developed and implemented by our female youth encourage personal professional and social development as well as strengthens self-esteem. This will ultimately have a long-term effect in promoting leadership roles for women within our communities as well as provide true role models for younger girls who may wish to strive to become program leaders themselves.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Newfoundland and Labrador have been asked, and will be presenting Girls Decide in June at the Atlantic Crime Prevention Conference in Corner Brook. These presentations will be a great avenue for spreading best practices and sharing experience to move girls programming forward.

This government is committed to the young people of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Girls Decide Program is one of many youth initiatives this government supports. It is a great example of how this government is ensuring our financial resources are being used where they are needed most and in turn having a positive impact on community development and integration.

2005 03 22                1:55 p.m.