In 2014, the Cayman Islands Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation (ESRF), launched a new grant programme to provide funding to organisations for proposals that would contribute to the Foundation’s objectives and achieving its vision of gender equality and a life free of violence for all.

The ESRF is pleased to announce that the Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC) is the successful recipient of this year’s grant; the CIRC has been awarded a grant of CI$7,500.00 to host a girls’ empowerment conference called ‘Girls Will’ in September 2014.

“The Foundation is excited to provide the main financial sponsorship for the Girls Will Conference because this event is so closely aligned with our objectives of empowering and educating young people and adults on important issues such as gender equality and living a life free from violence,” said Mr. Rayle Roberts, ESRF Chair.

The conference will provide a space for girls, young women and parents to better understand and process information on subjects such as the impact of gender, gender norms and discrimination; child sexual abuse; healthy sexuality; and violence against girls and women. It will also provide participants with an opportunity to engage in exercises focusing on healthy self-esteem and self-expression. There will also be co-current sessions run for parents, in an effort to help spark and enhance dialogue between parents and their children.

Deputy Director of the CIRC, Carolina Ferreira stated, “The CIRC has been working with youth for over 12 years, and it has become increasingly clear that our efforts need to be multi-faceted and multi-organisational to be effective.” While child sexual abuse affects both boys and girls, there are a variety of factors that make girls and young women more vulnerable to different types of violence and abuse not only in childhood but throughout their lives. Ms. Ferreira believes that the girls’ empowerment conference is one small step to highlight these vulnerabilities and begin to reduce them. She further elaborated, “Empowerment isn’t what happens the day of the conference, but what the participants do with the information and tools after they leave. We have to start somewhere, and we are very excited that the conference is a first step and that we have the financial support of the Estella Scott-Roberts Foundation in this endeavor.”

The Girls Will Conference is reflective of a collaborative effort with other community organisations such as the Family Resource Centre, Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, Health Services Authority, Ministry of Education, Employment, and Gender Affairs, Employee Assistance Programme, Business and Professional Women’s Club, Ben Hud’s Wisdom Campaign, and the Cayman Story Company also being involved.

The ESRF encourages charitable, community, and other non-profit organisations in the Cayman Islands to submit an application for the 2015 grant cycle by 31 December 2014. Grant funding of up to CI$10,000 is available for projects or programmes that are consistent with the objectives of the ESRF. More information on the grant programme and the grant application form are available at www.esrfoundation.org.ky