Media Release: Girls of Impact Founder Speaks in Paraguay

Port-of-Spain, May 15, 2024

Girls of Impact Founder Speaks on Inclusive Democracy at 20th ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly in Asuncion, Paraguay

Girls of Impact is proud to announce that our founder, Renee Atwell, participated as a distinguished panelist at the 20th ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly & 8th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, held in Asuncion, Paraguay, on May 9, 2024.

The panel, titled “Leaving no one behind: Democratic and inclusive participation,” focused on the critical importance of ensuring that all citizens, particularly youth and women, have the opportunity to participate fully in democratic processes. As a representative from civil society, Renee shared insights on the challenges and opportunities for promoting youth and women’s participation in decision-making.

Reflecting on this experience, Renee stated, “It was an honor to engage with parliamentarians, policymakers, and fellow advocates from across the Americas. Our discussion emphasized the need for inclusive leadership that reflects the diverse voices and experiences of our societies. By ensuring that youth and women are represented in decision-making processes, we can create more equitable and participatory democratic institutions.”

During the panel, Renee highlighted the work of Girls of Impact, a non-profit organization founded in 2022 to support underserved young women in Trinidad and Tobago. Girls of Impact provides mentorship, leadership training, and volunteer opportunities to empower young women to become change-makers in their communities.

“Our programs, such as the ‘Accelerate Her’ mentorship program and the ‘Empower Her’ digital literacy initiative, are designed to foster entrepreneurial innovation, professional development, and personal growth,” Renee explained. “By equipping young women with the skills and confidence to succeed, we are not only empowering individuals but also strengthening our communities and promoting sustainable development.”

The ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly is a significant platform that brings together parliamentarians from 35 national legislatures across North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean to facilitate the exchange of good practices and cooperative political dialogue. This year’s assembly focused on mainstreaming gender equality and fostering open parliaments through principles of transparency, accountability, citizen participation, ethics, and probity.

Girls of Impact is committed to continuing its mission of empowering young women and advocating for greater inclusivity in democratic processes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to ParlAmericas for the opportunity to participate in this pivotal event and to all the participants for their valuable contributions.

For more information about Girls of Impact and our programs, please visit girlsofimpact.org or contact us at info@girlsofimpact.org