“Power of Being a Girl” helps 9-to-12-year-olds develop positive self-esteem
Being a 10-year-old girl can feel awkward. For some kids, their bodies, emotions, and friendships are changing quickly, and for others, they’re not changing fast enough. Add in social media and the pressure to fit in with peers—it’s a lot to handle. Hearing the right thing at the right time can set the stage for healthy relationships and positive self-esteem in teenage years and adulthood.
In May, YWCA Banff hosted a one-day event for 9 to 12-year-old girls and gender-diverse individuals at the Fenlands Recreation Centre in Banff. Power of Being a Girl brought together girls from the community, with workshops and activities to build confidence and empowerment.
Before the pandemic, YWCA Banff offered Power of Being a Girl annually for over a decade, with great success. This year, we relaunched the event to honour our commitment to prevent violence before it starts. The day was an important part of Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
Jemima Maycock, Coordinator of the Harmony Project, YWCA Banff’s project to end sexual violence, attended the event when she was 12 years old. This year she helped Ginie St-Cyr, Outreach and Advocacy Counsellor, plan the event for the next generation of girls.
“When we look at the root causes of sexual violence, it starts with having conversations about healthy friendships, boundaries, and body image,” said Jemima.
“We didn’t directly talk about sexual violence with the girls; we focused on age-appropriate ways to discuss relationships. I remember feeling so empowered when I attended Power of Being a Girl as a young teen. It’s all about providing tools in the toolbox.”
The day began with a session on healthy friendships, facilitated by YWCA Banff staff. The girls asked questions and reflected on what consent and boundaries mean to them. Then, they heard from two women leaders in male-dominated fields, the Snow School Manager at Sunshine Ski Resort and a Senior Ski Patroller. In the afternoon, they participated in a body image workshop where they ran around outside, moving their bodies and understanding the power of self-talk.
“It was amazing to see the feedback from the girls, even at different ages,” said Jenesa Tomaszewski, Community Programs Manager at YWCA Banff.
“The Grade 6s asked more complex questions, while the Grade 4s were eager to jump into the interactive activities. When we asked, ‘What does it feel like when someone doesn’t respect your boundaries?’ they shared, ‘My heart feels heavy, and my head hurts.’ In contrast, when asked when they feel powerful, they said, ‘When I’m being silly, when I’m playing volleyball, when I’m being myself.’”
Pictured above: The girls wrote their answers to the question, “When do you feel powerful?”
YWCA Banff’s sexual violence prevention work engages community members of all ages. Teaching kids to recognize unhealthy behaviours and manage friendship conflicts fosters a stronger, more resilient community. Power of Being a Girl helps set the groundwork for sexual violence prevention in the Bow Valley, empowering girls to become confident women.