President highlights #Girl2Leader initiative at St Edward’s College

Last week, on the International Day of the Girl Child marked annually on 11 October, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca visited a number of tertiary educational institutions to raise awareness on the special day and the importance of female participation across all strata of society.

President Coleiro Preca is also a patron and ambassador of the #girl2leader campaign spearheaded by the Women Political Leaders Global Forum. The Girl2Leader campaign targets dangerous forms of gender stereotyping that continue to hold back too many girls and young women from achieving their full potential as leaders and contributors to society.

Last Thursday, the President spoke in detail about the groundbreaking initiative for Sixth Form students, which is aimed at encouraging young women to aspire to leadership positions at St Edward’s College last Thursday.

On the occasion, the College’s Head of IB, Jolen Galea, organised a workshop for IB students (6th formers), which started with an inspiring talk by Dr Matteja Farrugia, president of the Council for Teachers.

This was followed by a clip from the President, who then visited the College and delivered an encouraging and inspirational speech to all IB students.

“Today is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the potential of our young women and girls to be the leaders and contributors of positive peace, inclusive prosperity, and holistic well-being,” President Coleiro Preca said.

She added that, in order to create a longterm change, “I am convinced that we must do more to actively include the voices and experiences of our young girls.”

The President expressed her belief that girls and young women are essential stakeholders in our global journey towards positive change.

In addition to St Edward’s College, the President also met students and staff at St Aloysius College, St Martin’s College Sixth Form, Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary, De La Salle College Sixth Form, Verdala International School, and G.F. Abela Junior College.

Similar activities were organised in different countries across the world last Thursday.