The inaugural Girl to Woman Festival, supported by Esoteric Women’s Health was celebrated by hundreds of attendees at the Lennox Head Cultural and Community Centre on Sunday 18th January. The invitation was open to the whole community to come together in celebration and support of girls and young women.
“Don’t be afraid to be who you are”, was one of the messages year 12 student Layla said she would take away from the festival, as well as the importance of seeking support.
“If you are going through a rough time get support - speak out because no doubt a lot of other girls are going through it too,” said Layla.
One participant shared with the organisers:
"I really enjoyed how the kids got to participate as well as the adults... HAVE MORE :)"
“Don’t be afraid to be who you are”, was one of the messages year 12 student Layla said she would take away from the festival, as well as the importance of seeking support.
“If you are going through a rough time get support - speak out because no doubt a lot of other girls are going through it too,” said Layla.
One participant shared with the organisers:
"I really enjoyed how the kids got to participate as well as the adults... HAVE MORE :)"
This event will be the first of a series of forums and programs that the Girl to Woman project will offer across the country.
“Girls and young women face a lot of challenges growing up and our answer to address these issues is within our community. Our girls need to know they are cherished and celebrated for who they are and yesterday was a brilliant example of that. The community came together to take lead, get involved, understand our girls, support and celebrate them.” said Natalie Benhayon, Director of Esoteric Women’s Health.
With music, market stalls, delicious food and a ‘true beauty tent’ for hair, skin and make-up to celebrate the beauty the girls already have on the inside – the day was an opportunity for the whole community to support girls and young women to feel how precious they truly are.
Perfume making and the singing workshop was a hit as well as the young participants breaking out into a discussion group about the impact of media and social media in their lives.
“Everyone had so much to share”, said one participant who was 13, “its like we only got started and there was heaps more to talk about”.
The festival also explored issues that face girls and young women in today’s world. Everyone was given the opportunity to share their experience and the young people had a lot to share with one take home message being – “listen to us, we know what is going on”.
“We were so pleased that the whole community was represented on the day - from Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Siblings, Uncles, Aunties and friends”, said Sara Harris, founder of the Girl to Woman Project.
“With over 400 people attending, it confirms that the community cares about the well-being of girls and young women and want to come together to support them to step out into the world as who they truly are - not what media and society tells them they should be”, said Ms Harris.
Reports from those who attended certainly confirmed the need for this festival and the importance of the purpose. One mother, Rachel said she came because she wanted to spend some time together with her daughter:
"to talk together and with others about issues that might be affecting her in the future - so that we can get on the same page and work together”.
“Girls and young women face a lot of challenges growing up and our answer to address these issues is within our community. Our girls need to know they are cherished and celebrated for who they are and yesterday was a brilliant example of that. The community came together to take lead, get involved, understand our girls, support and celebrate them.” said Natalie Benhayon, Director of Esoteric Women’s Health.
With music, market stalls, delicious food and a ‘true beauty tent’ for hair, skin and make-up to celebrate the beauty the girls already have on the inside – the day was an opportunity for the whole community to support girls and young women to feel how precious they truly are.
Perfume making and the singing workshop was a hit as well as the young participants breaking out into a discussion group about the impact of media and social media in their lives.
“Everyone had so much to share”, said one participant who was 13, “its like we only got started and there was heaps more to talk about”.
The festival also explored issues that face girls and young women in today’s world. Everyone was given the opportunity to share their experience and the young people had a lot to share with one take home message being – “listen to us, we know what is going on”.
“We were so pleased that the whole community was represented on the day - from Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Siblings, Uncles, Aunties and friends”, said Sara Harris, founder of the Girl to Woman Project.
“With over 400 people attending, it confirms that the community cares about the well-being of girls and young women and want to come together to support them to step out into the world as who they truly are - not what media and society tells them they should be”, said Ms Harris.
Reports from those who attended certainly confirmed the need for this festival and the importance of the purpose. One mother, Rachel said she came because she wanted to spend some time together with her daughter:
"to talk together and with others about issues that might be affecting her in the future - so that we can get on the same page and work together”.
A variety of forums on the main stage lead to much discussion and sharing from the audience on topics including the impact of media, social media, bullying, peer pressure and relationships. Self-harm and body image forums were also held and to packed rooms for teenage girls and their parents.
“Listening to what girls and young women are telling us about what they feel and experience is the first step to supporting them towards making choices which love, honour and respect who they are on the inside”, Ms Benhayon said.
“When we listen, it empowers the girls to say what they know and feel. It gives the message that we care, and we are there to support ”, Natalie went on to say.
As well as having their own relaxation and pampering marquee, parents also had an opportunity to express their experience and concerns around the well-being of their children.
I’m worried about the unrealistic expectations that girls have on them these days and just how difficult that is. My daughter has got a really good attitude about who she is and what she looks like right now, but in the future I really hope that she can hang onto a bit of that. That’s my big concern for her - is that she is going to start to doubt herself and her self-esteem might get effected because of unreal expectations. I want her to keep loving herself the way she is”, said Rachel, mother of a 10 year old.
There was a clear call from the community to hold more events like this so that we can build a foundation of true support in the community for girls and young women.
Stay tuned to the Girl to Woman website (www.girltowoman.com.au) to view upcoming events. Sign up to the newsletter here.
Esoteric Women’s Health will also be hosting another Community Event on March 21st, an open forum to discuss the community’s current issues in the area of Women’s Health, and to explore how we can collaborate together as a community to support women, their families, carers, and all our health professionals and public services as they experience illness and disease. See their website for details.
“Listening to what girls and young women are telling us about what they feel and experience is the first step to supporting them towards making choices which love, honour and respect who they are on the inside”, Ms Benhayon said.
“When we listen, it empowers the girls to say what they know and feel. It gives the message that we care, and we are there to support ”, Natalie went on to say.
As well as having their own relaxation and pampering marquee, parents also had an opportunity to express their experience and concerns around the well-being of their children.
I’m worried about the unrealistic expectations that girls have on them these days and just how difficult that is. My daughter has got a really good attitude about who she is and what she looks like right now, but in the future I really hope that she can hang onto a bit of that. That’s my big concern for her - is that she is going to start to doubt herself and her self-esteem might get effected because of unreal expectations. I want her to keep loving herself the way she is”, said Rachel, mother of a 10 year old.
There was a clear call from the community to hold more events like this so that we can build a foundation of true support in the community for girls and young women.
Stay tuned to the Girl to Woman website (www.girltowoman.com.au) to view upcoming events. Sign up to the newsletter here.
Esoteric Women’s Health will also be hosting another Community Event on March 21st, an open forum to discuss the community’s current issues in the area of Women’s Health, and to explore how we can collaborate together as a community to support women, their families, carers, and all our health professionals and public services as they experience illness and disease. See their website for details.
