GP Girl Power Conference returns for 11th year – Indianapolis Recorder

Report on the 11th Annual GP Girl Power Conference and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The 11th annual GP Girl Power Conference, organized by Inner Beauty Program, Inc., is scheduled for Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event targets girls aged 10-17, aiming to provide a full day of empowerment and education. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on gender equality, quality education, and health and well-being.

Conference Objectives and Core Mission

The stated mission of the conference is to empower young women with the knowledge, confidence, and community support necessary for successful lives. Chrystal Hines, Founder and CEO of Inner Beauty Program, Inc., stated, “Our mission is to remind every girl that she is powerful, purposeful, and capable of shaping her own story.” This aligns with a global commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable societies.

• Primary Goal: To unite women and girls to celebrate growth, resilience, and leadership.
• Target Audience: Hundreds of girls from ages 10-17.
• Key Partners: Inner Beauty Program, Inc., local youth organizations, and community leaders from Marion County.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The conference’s agenda and workshops are structured to make tangible contributions to the following SDGs:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The conference is fundamentally designed to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

   • It provides a platform for girls to network with established women leaders, creating mentorship opportunities.
   • Sessions on confidence and leadership directly address social barriers that hinder female advancement.
   • The event fosters a sense of “sisterhood,” building a support network crucial for overcoming gender-based challenges.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   The event promotes lifelong learning opportunities by offering specialized, non-formal education.

   • Workshops focus on relevant modern skills, including STEM, entrepreneurship, and social media awareness.
   • The focus on civic engagement educates participants on their roles and responsibilities within a community, promoting education for sustainable development.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The conference agenda includes specific components aimed at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

   • A dedicated focus on mental wellness provides essential tools for psychological resilience.
   • Empowerment activities and discussions are designed to build self-esteem and reduce vulnerabilities associated with mental health issues in adolescents.

4. SDG 10 & SDG 8: Reduced Inequalities & Decent Work

   By equipping young girls with critical skills, the conference works to reduce inequalities and prepare them for future economic participation.

   • Training in entrepreneurship and STEM opens pathways to economic independence and leadership roles in key growth sectors.
   • The event empowers a demographic often facing systemic disadvantages, thereby contributing to a more equitable distribution of opportunities.

Conclusion

The GP Girl Power Conference serves as a critical local initiative that actively advances the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through strategic partnerships (SDG 17) and a curriculum focused on education, gender equality, and well-being, the event empowers the next generation of female leaders to build a more sustainable and equitable future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article highlights that the conference is a day of “education” and will feature “workshops” and “creative sessions” on topics like STEM, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. This directly relates to providing inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities outside of a formal school setting.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The central theme of the “GP Girl Power Conference” is to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls. The mission is to remind every girl that she is “powerful, purposeful, and capable of shaping her own story” and to “celebrate growth, resilience, and leadership” among girls and women.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The conference addresses health by including sessions focused on “mental wellness,” which is a critical component of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By specifically targeting girls aged 10-17 for empowerment, education, and leadership training, the conference works to reduce inequalities. It aims to provide this demographic with the “knowledge, confidence, and community support they need to lead successful lives,” thereby promoting their social inclusion and future opportunities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.4 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” The article mentions that the conference features workshops on “STEM” and “entrepreneurship,” which are directly aimed at providing young girls with these relevant skills.
• Target 5.5 (under SDG 5): “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.” The conference promotes this target by focusing on “leadership,” “empowerment,” and providing opportunities for girls to network with “women leaders” who serve as role models.
• Target 5.b (under SDG 5): “Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.” The inclusion of sessions on “social media awareness” connects to this target by educating girls on how to use modern technology safely and effectively for their empowerment.
• Target 3.4 (under SDG 3): “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The conference directly supports the promotion of mental health and well-being through its dedicated sessions on “mental wellness.”
• Target 10.2 (under SDG 10): “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex…” The event’s entire purpose is to empower a specific group (“girls ages 10-17”) to ensure they have the confidence and support for social and economic inclusion.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of participants: The article states the conference brings together “hundreds of girls ages 10-17.” This number serves as a direct quantitative indicator of the program’s reach and the number of young people receiving training and empowerment.
• Program Longevity and Consistency: The event is described as the “11th annual celebration.” This indicates a sustained, long-term commitment to the cause, which can be measured in years of operation.
• Community Engagement: The involvement of “Volunteers and mentors from across Marion County” and partnerships with “local youth organizations and community leaders” can be quantified (e.g., number of volunteers, number of partner organizations) to measure the level of community support and engagement.
• Scope of Educational Content: The specific topics covered in the workshops—”confidence, social media awareness, STEM, entrepreneurship, mental wellness and civic engagement”—serve as a qualitative indicator of the breadth and relevance of the skills and knowledge being imparted to the participants.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: indianapolisrecorder.com