Girls Empowerment Programme Wins PSNI Award

0:00From across Europe, powered by AI, this is Europe News Today. I'm Cory with the Story. A program to cut violence against women and girls in Lurgen has reached the finals of the PSNI Problem Solving Awards. The Girls Empowerment Program comes from a partnership between the police community safety team and the education authority, focusing on early help. In the Armour, Bandbridge, and Craigovon area, it runs through local youth clubs in Lurgen, where trust and officials is low and poverty is high. Aimed at girls aged 12 to 14, it tackles dangers like grooming, pressure from others, and family abuse. Girls took part in workshops about healthy relationships, saying yes or no to things, drug risks, and staying safe online. They gained skills from makeup classes and trips to local training spots, which lifted their confidence and dreams for the future. Many groups pitched in, like women support services, anti-trafficking experts, and youth organizations.

1:00The sessions also mix girls from different neighborhoods at two clubs, building friendships and a safe spot. Follow-up checks found much higher confidence and better ways to handle feelings among the girls. Trust in police screw too, with more ready to ask for help. This work lays a strong base for their safety and bold steps ahead.