Girls Group Therapy Dogs Session

 

Thursday, November the third, Richview’s Girls Empowerment Group held a therapy dog session. Three adorable dogs from Therapeutic Paws of Canada visited the group with the goal of reducing the members’ stress. It was a very successful activity with the participation of 30 Girls Group members. Special thanks to Therapeutic Paws of Canada for brightening our day and to Mme Cardoni and Ms Fontes for organizing the incredible activity. The Girls Empowerment Group looks forward to doing many other events throughout the year.

-Zareen Hossain 

                                                                                                               





 

Annual Girls Empowerment ConferenceDuring this school year, Richview recommenced its tradition of the annual Girls Empowerment Conference. The Girls Group focuses on building gender equality in our school communities and empowering young women to achieve their aspirations. By educating fellow students about sexism, we have raised money through Girls Group, to support causes such as the White Ribbon Campaign, commemorating the École Polytechnique Montreal massacre of 1989, and to fundraise for the Because I Am a Girl campaign. 

These events require the help of many students from Richview, giving them the opportunity to provide insight into feminism, to research women’s liberation and to think analytically about gender stereotypes. All of which, prepare for the second annual Richview Girls Group Conference, hosted this year on May 5th. Almost one hundred students attended the conference, participating in group exercises and discussions about the growing issue of gender inequality. Students were inspired by our guest speakers, from the Etobicoke Women’s Shelter, TD and Because I Am a Girl. To conclude the conference, favours were given to those that donated and items contributed by local businesses were raffled off to students. All proceeds gathered from the conference will be given to The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), and will continue annually.

International Women’s Day Tuesday March 8th, 2016International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally, women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.  However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, and most importantly, women have real choices. In order to show your support, the Girls Group will be selling Kernels popcorn in the cafeteria today during lunch for $2 and all proceeds will be donated to the “Because I Am A Girl” foundation. By donating to this wonderful cause, you will continue the chain of inspiration for women and celebrate their achievements as the story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.Ayla SljivarMissionThe goal of the Richview Girls Empowerment Group is to raise awareness about gender inequality issues in the community, stereotypes against women,  and to help girls become more confident in themselves.