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Women’s Issues

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Soroptimists and Students display the 'Balance' pose.
The girls display the ‘#EachForEquat’ pose to mark International Women’s Day 2020.

The main objective of this project was to create a forum whereby students attending the ASJA Girls’ College, Barackpore, could listen to an inspiring story from a woman who, despite personal and professional challenges, was able to “break through a glass ceiling”. The students were between the ages of 14-16 and were all at the stage of making choices with respect to subjects that they would like to study. The speaker had a similar background to theirs, but with hard work, became successful.

Speaker Deana Samlal Ramlochan
Speaker Deana Samlal Ramlochan, owner of Alive Wellness Spa.

The field of entrepreneurship is one that many girls are not encouraged to pursue due to the inherent risks. Traditional, safer, conventional careers such as teaching and nursing are often thrust upon girls but this may not be their personal ambition. There is also a widely held view that to be successful in business one must be well connected and have access to easy financing. Our speaker was able to share the challenges she faced as a start up entrepreneur, the many “glass ceilings” such as family pressure, lack of opportunities for financing and balancing her business with family commitments. She was also able to relate to many of the students as she herself came from a rural area.

Pre-session Discussion with Soroptimists and the Guest Speaker.
Pre-session discussion with Soroptimists and the guest speaker.

The project involved a 45 minute long talk followed by questions and answers. The school also facilitated a “mingling” session between the students and the speaker. Several Club members who were present had one-on-one chats the students. They had opportunities to speak with women in various fields about career choices, studying, building a career and reputation as a professional and balancing the role of wife/mother with having a career.

The attentive audience
The attentive audience

The aim of this project was to inspire. Based on the interactive session after the speaker’s presentation, it was plain that many of the girls had more questions and were curious about how they too could turn a passion into a business and delve into the filed of entrepreneurship. This project was planned to mark International Women’s Day, and it did in fact help to educate, enable and empower the girls to make sensible choices of examination subjects to best suit their talents. They understood that even without advantages of family background, gender or being at the top of the class, it is possible to break the glass ceiling.

Soroptimists and girls display the #EachForEqual sign.
Each woman or girl displays the #EachForEqual sign as she thinks about shattering the glass ceiling.

After the interactive session, one of the girls remarked, 

    “I now feel more confident that I can make something of myself.”



My Sister’s Keeper ~

A Closer Look at Gaslighting

“Gaslighting” is used to describe emotional and psychological abuse, specifically when an abuser manipulates information in such a way as to make a victim question her judgement. It intentionally makes people doubt their memories or perceptions of reality in order to gain control. The Clinical Psychologist empowered the women to recognize when they are victims of this abuse and encouraged them to support other women in facing the challenges and consequences of Gaslighting.

Soroptimist International Esperance President Cheryl Boodoosingh welcomes the participants.

“Gaslighting” is used to describe emotional and psychological abuse, specifically when an abuser manipulates information in such a way as to make a victim question her judgement. It intentionally makes people doubt their memories or perceptions of reality in order to gain control. The Clinical Psychologist empowered the women to recognize when they are victims of this abuse and encouraged them to support other women in facing the challenges and consequences of Gaslighting.

Esperance Soroptimist Fadia Muradali-Kumar introduces the facilitator.
Esperance Soroptimist Fadia Muradali-Kumar introduces the facilitator.

This project involved: –

1) Securing a venue (Esperance Regional Complex).

 2) Inviting Guest Speaker (Ms. Leslie-Ann C. Tyson, Clinical Psychologist and Field Traumatologist).

3) Informing the public about the event through flyers, WhatsApp, social media and personal invitation.

4) Preparation and distribution of bookmarks reminding the participants of signs of Gaslighting and Hotline phone numbers where consultation and help can be obtained for victims.

5) Design, preparation, distribution and collection of surveys.

6) Preparation and distribution of refreshments.

7) Booking of photographer, writing of copy and distribution to newspapers.

Clinical Psychologist Ms. Leslie-Ann C. Tyson the facilitates the programme.
Clinical Psychologist Ms. Leslie-Ann C. Tyson the facilitates the programme.

Clinical Psychologist and Field Traumatologist, Leslie-Ann C. Tyson gave an informative, thought provoking presentation which: –

1) Educated the women to recognize victims of this abuse.

2) Empowered women to be better listeners and “sisters” to other women, providing them with the support needed to face the challenges presented by Gaslighting.

3) Enabled the women to say “NO” to the abusive behaviour patterns in their partners.

4) The bookmarks gave them a reminder of the features of Gaslighting.

5) The newspaper publication was a tool of awareness, advocacy, education, and it raised the profile of Soroptimism.

Esperance Soroptimists show their gratitude
Esperance Soroptimists show their gratitude.

Clinical Psychologist and Field Traumatologist, Leslie-Ann C. Tyson gave a very informative and thought provoking presentation on the topic, in an effort to empower women to not only recognize when they are victims of this abuse, but to also encourage other women to support women facing the challenges and consequences of Gaslighting.

Bookmarks were given to participants.
Bookmarks were given to participants.

Some comments from the participants ~ 

“It made me more aware of things going on in a relationship I am in and understand how to deal with it.”

“I will be more aware what situations I get myself into.”

“I will stand my ground to be treated with respect.”