In today's world, empowering mentally resilient girls is more important than ever. Girls face unique challenges growing up, from societal pressures to academic stress and peer dynamics. Building mental resilience helps them navigate these hurdles with confidence, perseverance, and emotional strength. It's about equipping young girls with the tools they need to face life's challenges head-on while maintaining a strong sense of self-worth. Written by Avashna Ramnarain.
GBV is explicitly defined as violence or harm perpetrated against an individual because of their gender (Rasool 2017; South African Human Rights Commission – SAHRC 2018).
Sexual violence profoundly affects the mental well-being of rural girls in South Africa, leading to trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, guilt, shame, self-harm, suicidal ideation, trust issues, social isolation, physical health problems, educational setbacks, and potential substance abuse, can have a profound impact on daily life, hindering the ability to function normally.
These impacts can vary among individuals, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive support and mental health services to address the challenges faced by survivors. Research consistently shows that girls who possess a strong sense of mental resilience are better equipped to recognize and respond to potential threats. By focusing on mental empowerment, we can break the cycle of victimization and empower girls to stand up against injustice.
As a mother and the CEO of Mindful Masterminds, the commitment to empowering girls mentally isn’t just a professional mission for me; it’s deeply personal. Being a mother to my own daughter and navigating the complexities of parenthood has made me acutely aware of the vulnerabilities our girls face.
Every concern, every thought about their future, propels me to advocate for mental resilience as a fundamental necessity in their upbringing. This has fuelled my dedication to create a program, where our girls are mentally empowered to face life’s challenges with strength and courage, so they can grow up feeling mentally empowered and resilient.
The urgency of Mental Empowerment
Empowering girls mentally is not just about protection; it’s about giving them the tools to navigate a sometimes unpredictable and challenging world. We need to equip our girls with more than just physical protection; we must fortify their minds against the various forms of violence, abuse, and victimization they may encounter. The urgency lies not only in protection but in providing them with the tools to navigate a world that can sometimes be unpredictable and harsh. My dedication to empowering girls mentally extends beyond the walls of my home and into the ethos of Mindful Masterminds.
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A Path to Resilience
My commitment to empowering girls is not confined to my role as a mother; it permeates the ethos of Mindful Masterminds. As a part of our company’s social responsibility commitment to giving back, we intend to actively engage with underprivileged women and children, empowering them against violence, abuse, and revictimization, and navigate adversity The EmpowerHER Program, a flagship initiative of Mindful Masterminds, exemplifies this commitment. It’s not just a program; it’s a path to resilience.
This flagship initiative targets disadvantaged girls in South Africa through the establishment of mobile centres- called “Safe Spaces” and Peer Support Networks. The Resilience education imparted by the EmpowerHER Project constitutes a strategic investment in the enduring well-being of girls who have experienced violence, rape, or trauma by equipping them with the psychological skills needed to cope, heal, and rebuild their lives while navigating to overcome gender-based violence. Through support network events and workshops held within these safe spaces we aim to empower girls to recognize and avoid situations that might lead to revictimization. The creation of these physical safe spaces facilitates an environment where girls can openly share experiences, engage with peer networks through therapeutic support services, resilience workshops, art and expression therapy, self-defence, and personal safety workshops for mental healing.
The overarching goal is to roll out at least three physical Safe Spaces in rural areas by the end of 2024. While the trauma of sexual and gender violence cannot be erased, the activities held within the spaces will provide young girls with emotional resilience needed to reclaim their power, find strength in adversity, and move towards a brighter empowered future.
Society’s Role
Empowering girls mentally isn’t a singular responsibility. It’s a collective effort that requires the active participation of society. As a society, we must recognize the long-term benefits of investing in the mental empowerment of our girls. It’s about promoting an environment where girls feel heard, valued, and supported—a culture that stands against any form of violence or victimization. My vision extends beyond just the immediate benefits. I envision a world where every girl grows up with the confidence to navigate life’s challenges, contribute meaningfully to society, and break through any barriers that may attempt to hold her back. We invite all likeminded corporates, organisations and leaders fueled by a passion to make a lasting impact to join us and be a part the mindful revolution by supporting our cause.
Closing Thoughts On Empowering Mentally Resilient Girls
My journey as a mother and entrepreneur underscores the significance of initiatives like the EmpowerHer Project, I am not just leading a business; I am contributing to a movement to build a safer, more resilient world for our daughters, where they can thrive and succeed. Mindful Masterminds is deeply committed to giving back to our community aimed at making a positive impact in the lives of underprivileged women & children. The resilience education provided through the Empower-HER Project is an investment in the long-term well-being of girls, empowering them mentally against violence, abuse, and victimization so they are a more resilient, future generation of girls. If you are an organization fuelled by a passion to make a lasting impact & would like to explore collaboration opportunities with us, please email me on avashna@mindfulmastermind.co.za
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