Ulster University, alongside YouthAction Northern Ireland showed its support for the Girls Allowed event, hosted by the ‘Engage with the Girls’ group from the New Lodge Youth Centre.
In a vibrant celebration of youth work and female empowerment, over 230 young women gathered for this inspiring event, on the Belfast campus, which proved to be a powerful statement of how youth work can play a pivotal role in shaping the lives and futures of girls and young women in Northern Ireland.
The Girls Allowed conference focused on a broad spectrum of issues crucial to young women today, from relationships and consent to fitness and self-esteem. By providing a platform for conversations, this conference brought together young women from youth centres across the region to reflect on their own lives, what they like about being a young woman and the pressures they face locally and globally.
This event not only gave the young women a chance to reflect on their experiences but also ensured their voices were heard through a new research project into the lives of girls and young women in contemporary times.
This year’s conference was particularly significant as it marked two major milestones: the 80th anniversary of YouthAction Northern Ireland and the 50th anniversary of Youth Work training at Ulster University. The longstanding partnership of Ulster University and YouthAction NI has spanned over 25 years and has consistently worked towards promoting youth work for young women, as well as advancing gender-conscious practices that support equality and empowerment.
University Provost Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan opened the conference on the atrium of the Belfast campus, saying:
"The conference presents an opportunity for young women to share their experiences and ensure that their voices are heard.
The University is committed to promoting gender equality in youth work and creating spaces for young women to be heard, supported, and inspired, as we work toward a more equitable future."
Ulster University’s involvement is particularly noteworthy, as the University has played a key role in training youth workers and supporting initiatives such as Engage with the Girls. The University’s commitment to promoting gender equality in youth work continues to have a far-reaching impact.
As part of its ongoing efforts, Ulster University helped to facilitate workshops that empowered the young women to address issues such as mental health, peer pressure, and the societal expectations placed on them. They took part in workshops run by @youthaction; @shankill women’s centre; @common youth; @reclaim the agenda; @women’s tec; @lighthouse; @new lodge youth centre; @empowered Belfast, providing young women with the tools and confidence to create change in their communities.
The impact of the Girls Allowed event extends beyond the workshops. It gave young women the space to celebrate who they are, not just as daughters or sisters, but as individuals with a wealth of potential and a strong desire to contribute to a fairer and more equal society.
Eliz McArdle, Course Director BSc (Hons) Community Youth Work at Ulster University, added:
“Through the work of Ulster University, YouthAction Northern Ireland, New Lodge Youth Centre and all the other supporting organisations, Girls Allowed stands as a testament to the importance of youth work in fostering gender equality and empowering the next generation of young women. It is events like this that bring us closer to a future where young women are not just heard but are active participants in shaping a fairer, more inclusive society.”
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If you have any further questions about the event, contact Eliz McArdle, by email to e.mcardle@ulster.ac.uk