Take a Girl Child to Work on 27 May 2021

The Initiative’s Aim

“to deepen the thinking of the girl child about her infinite roles in society, enhance her self-esteem, inspire and motivate her to reach her full potential and, through exposure to diverse careers and positive role models, assist her to prepare for the world of work.”

Research shows that starting at age 5, many girls develop self-limiting beliefs and begin to think they are not as smart and capable as boys. This means that by the time they are five years old, girls have started thinking of all the jobs they would never be good at because boys would do them so much better. If we consider that five years of age is part of the foundational years that inform how a child will see herself once she is an adult, we can understand the urgency of changing this mindset.

When Take a Girl Child to Work was first launched as a large-scale corporate responsibility event in 2003, it was in response only to facts. Various universities and independent research councils looked at our current reality, and certain things are clear: women are highly under-represented in the formal economy and in executive positions.

To remedy this under-representation, corporates were encouraged to bring their own daughters, and any other girl children who might benefit, to work. On this day, companies have the opportunity to expose young girls to the professional possibilities that exist not only for boys, but equally for all children. This serves as a first step in introducing them to but a fraction of their potential.

How to get involved

The research is clear – it is in the economic interest of every society to make use of the myriad skills, talents, qualifications, and awards that so many women have fought hard to achieve. Anybody can participate in this day, through initiatives such as the following:

• Exposing girls to the inner workings of a business through shadowing experiences.
• Forming partnerships with other organizations to organize a day of meaningful activities.
• Taking girls to career expos, especially where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers are explored.
• Making financial contributions to organizations aimed at empowering underprivileged girls.
• Classroom activities for boys to create awareness and to help them reflect on the meaning of the day.

The information in this communication is for information purposes and is not intended to be detailed advice described in the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act. The fund, administrator and trustees cannot be held liable for damage or loss suffered as a result of any action that you take based on the contents of this communication.