On Saturday last, I had the distinct pleasure to attend the Association of Female Professionals of T&T (AFETT) and Youth reception to launch the organisation's youth arm.
There were some very inspirational words from Dawn Richards, Principal Consultant at DRA Consulting, the topic of her presentation was the "Power of You" at the function hosted by AFETT, whose mission includes making women winners.
The honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs and her cabinet colleague, the honourable Dr Nyan Gadsby- Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, both gave powerful speeches targeted at the "sisters" in the audience. The emphasis on sisterhood and mentoring and nurturing young women was strongly advocated.
It takes mentoring and nurturing and it's important to not make the assumption that young people will learn by osmosis cautioned Minister Gadsby-Dolly.
In an environment where many of our youth and young people are branded as "lost causes", it was profoundly heartening to hear from Ministers Gadsby-Dolly and Cudjoe. Their words, demeanour and how they carried themselves and projected their aura, self- esteem and self-respect could only have acted as a positive example for the youth and young women in the audience.
It's positive role models such as the two Ministers that young women, in particular, need to look to.
It was regrettable that due to a prior commitment I was unable to attend the T&T Netball Association awards immediately after the AFETT function as in T&T netball, there are a number of positive role models for girls and young women in sport.
Yesterday, I spent the day at the "Gender Equality" meeting hosted by the Pan Am Sports Organisation. The focus was on women in sport and the role and responsibilities of women in sports commissions in the Americas.
Leading the discussions for T&T was Diane Henderson, T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) vice president and chair of the TTOC women in sports commission.
It's important that attention is given to the environment surrounding girls and young women in sport. The TTOC ought not to operate in a vacuum and must give consideration to partnering with organisations such as AFETT to further the development of women in sport.
Working in collaboration with and partnering with other like-minded organisations will foster enhanced effectiveness and efficiency in the effort to create the pathway to gender equality, diversity and inclusion in sport.
Editor's Note:
Brian Lewis is the president of the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the organisation.