A group of Cessnock Junior Guides have recently completed the Free Being Me program, and are spreading the word about the program during Children's Week (October 24-November 1).
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Six girls aged seven to 10 took part in the program, delivered by Junior Guide leader Isabella Metcalfe.
Developed by World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Dove and Girl Guides Australia, Free Being Me is an international program that aims to empower girls through improving body confidence.
A Dove Global Survey in 2010 found that six out of 10 girls stop doing something they love or that will benefit them because they feel bad about the way they look, while in 2013, a WAGGGS study of woman and girls from 70 countries found 45 percent of respondents think girls are held back from taking on leadership positions because of low body confidence.
"Free Being Me has been written especially for the age groups of our units," Isabella said.
"It is an educational program that engages with exploring ideas about body confidence and beauty that will affect them as they grow up.
"Free Being Me shows participants that there isn't just one way to be beautiful and that what is inside them matters the most."
On completion of the program, the Junior Guides are now undertaking their 'Take Action' project, which needs to reach two other people.
The girls were excited to share the program's messages on 2CHR-FM on Tuesday afternoon, and have also set up an educational display at Kurri Kurri Library, which can be viewed until the end of next week.
Children's Week is also a timely occasion to promote Girl Guiding, Isabella said.
The theme of Children's Week 2020 is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 15: that children have the right to meet together and join groups and organisations as long as it does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.
There are Guide Units in Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Millfield suitable for girls aged five to 18.
For more information, contact district manager Kylie Gray on cessnockguides@bigpond.com.
Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
