Schoolgirls from across Northern Ireland successfully delivered a large-scale event at ICC Belfast recently as part of the SistersIN programme. It was attended by First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, underscoring the importance of the shaping the future of young women across the region. Attended by over 1,000 people, Romy Maguire, a pupil at Glenlola Collegiate, was amongst almost 400 sixth-form schoolgirls from 28 schools across Northern Ireland who took part in this year’s SistersIN programme.

 Dedicated to enabling, empowering, and developing young girls across Northern Ireland, the leadership programme is a collaborative ecosystem between the schools who deliver leadership training, the senior female leaders who mentor the pupils, and the pupils who put their leadership into action through projects in their schools, local communities, and often, wider society.

 In addition to successfully delivering the celebration event, the schoolgirls secured Gill Tierney, Consultant Surgeon and President of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI), as a keynote speaker. She said, “It’s been such an honour attending this year’s SistersIN event and having the chance to speak to such a diverse range of talented young women across Northern Ireland. Engaging with these future leaders was a real source of inspiration and I have no doubt that they will go on to achieve great things.”

SistersIN originated as a pilot in 2019, under the leadership of Assumption Grammar School’s principal, Peter Dobbin. This year the, the programme and the event have grown in stature, signalling the ongoing demand for professional development opportunities for young women, but also a willingness from the local business community to support female leaders of tomorrow.

The schoolgirls also secured exhibitor support from almost 40 businesses, and hosted panel discussions with female leaders from Danske Bank, Education Authority, Gilbert Ash, Queen’s University Belfast, KPMG, Concentrix and ICC Belfast. The local business community’s support has been evident throughout this year’s programme with participants receiving mentorship from business leaders at various local firms.

Amongst the schools taking part were Glenlola Collegiate (Bangor), Our Lady's Grammar School (Newry), Hazelwood Integrated College (North Belfast) and St. Cecilia's College (Derry~Londonderry).

Visit sisters-in.org for more information.