[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Herstoire Collective recently concluded a two-day training programme for their volunteers in preparation for the upcoming launch of the Sister2Sister (S2S) Virtual Safe Space Programme. The volunteers, fifteen young women from across the island, who expressed interest in serving and working with other young women, received vital instruction from local health educators, counsellors and experts from The Bureau of Health Education, PROSAF, United & Strong and HERStoire at the two sessions. Topics covered included sexual and reproductive health, anti-oppression and implicit bias, communications, social media advocacy and media relations, victim validation and confidentiality. This two-day training session is part of a year-long programme designed to strengthen the capacity of volunteers.
Sister2Sister volunteers will function as Ambassadors of the Programme. Additionally they will provide peer-support for participants throughout the duration of the project. They will serve for a period of twelve months and devote an average of 6 hours per week to programme-related duties. .
The Sister2Sister Virtual Safe Space Programme, consists of a virtual support group and safe space platform for young Saint Lucian girls and women aged 16-24, to freely share and receive sexual reproductive health (SRH) and other support. This programme will not only provide answers to SRH and other related questions that participants may be too shy to ask in person for fear of judgement or ostracism, they will similarly receive referrals to other programmes and services and have access to resources which meet their individual needs, all while maintaining anonymity in the process.
`Speaking on her motivation to join the S2S Programme, 19-year old Volunteer Ambassador Nathalie Scott said, “The Sister2Sister programme, in its rawest form, is about women championing for the rights and needs of other women. I’ve always loved the idea of helping others and I believe that peer help can be the best help. Young St.Lucian women face so many challenges which are often ignored because of lack of knowledge, resources, or both. I see this as a great opportunity to help my peers in whatever way I can, and to learn from them as well.”
The Sister 2 Sister Virtual Safe Space Programme is a Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and OECS funded initiative. The official launch is scheduled for March 8, International Women’s Day.
About the HERStoire Collective
The HERStoire Collective is a group of individuals who champion women and girls’ advancement, sexual and reproductive rights, health and wellness, with a focus on females of the Caribbean diaspora. HERStoire advocates for centering and improving the lives of Caribbean women through self-love, self-care and self-empowerment. HERStoire effectuates and inspires agents of change through interdisciplinary and multidimensional practices of Health Education – Empowerment – Research – Stories.
For more information on the HERStoire Collective, find us on Facebook and Instagram @HERStoire.
— Source: The HERStoire Collective
