Belfast teens start Brave Belfast Cailíní to promote boundaries, consent, and support in healthy relationships.
The campaign aims to foster support among young women and encourage them to seek help when worried. NSPCC Northern Ireland and Footprints Women’s Centre are partners in this first campaign of its kind in Northern Ireland.
Fourteen girls, aged twelve to sixteen, are involved. These girls have been meeting every two weeks since August. They chose the name and logo, creating engaging resources with crucial messages. They also designed a webpage to help others understand healthy relationships.
The girls selected the name to empower others and encourage open communication about feelings. Speaking out about concerns is brave, they believe; the theme is “Be a Girl’s Girl.” They aim to reach many young women, offering resources and promoting support for their peers.
Grace, age fourteen, enjoys being part of the group discovering and learning about healthy relationships. Now she recognizes and knows she has people she can talk to.
Ayse, age twelve, finds the project fun and enjoyed designing the logo. She found it neat seeing diverse representations of courage and the topic easy to grasp. Ayse believes the message avoids nonsense and is delivered clearly.
Paula Bradshaw and Chris Quinn attended the launch and learned about the campaign created by girls from West Belfast. The girls showcased resources, including a webpage, information cards, posters, and a quiz.
The girls will share the campaign within their schools and clubs, and participate in the Belfast Imagine Festival in late March, showcasing art at an exhibition.
Paula Bradshaw spoke at the launch emphasizing that violence against women remains a significant issue. Learning about respect early is crucial. This builds a future free from violence, empowering young individuals to understand their rights and challenge harmful attitudes, she believes.
Chris Quinn also spoke at the event, stating all young people deserve respect. He mentioned that this campaign offers valuable tools. He also mentioned a quiz, tips on being a supportive friend and guidance allowing girls to call out harmful behaviors.
Pelin Yildir stressed the importance of hearing directly from young people, as this topic directly affects them. She is impressed by the girls’ efforts and excited to see their knowledge on relationships grow. She hopes the campaign’s impact is felt throughout Belfast and beyond.
Maelíosa Cahill noted that they were responding to violence against women and girls saying it was a privilege to partner with them. He believes the resources can empower girls to make good choices and support parents and professionals. He says the youth-led approach has an immediate impact, fostering emotional support among the participants.