Hear it for the girls: executive ministers join SistersIN celebration

Executive Ministers join pupil-led female leadership celebration

Schoolgirls from across Northern Ireland successfully delivered a large-scale event at ICC Belfast 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 shaping the future of young women across the region. Attended by over 1,000 people, the event celebrated 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 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.

Peter said, “The Celebration Event showcased the positive impact of the SistersIN programme and how it can empower young leaders. It’s incredible to think that this year we’re supporting 400 schoolgirls from across Northern Ireland, many of whom may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience such a sustained period of one-to-one leadership. We are grateful to the local business community and our partners for their continued support.

The presence of our First Minister and deputy First Minister at the event added significant weight to the occasion, underscoring the pivotal role programmes like SistersIN play in shaping young women across the region. 

"There is that great phrase – you can’t be what you can’t see – and I think at its very essence that’s what our SistersIN programme is about. The concept is simple but powerful, and we’ve seen first-hand how it can build confidence and help schoolgirls to see their full potential at a crucial time in their lives.”

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.

Julia Corkey, Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, a founding partner of SistersIN, expressed her admiration for the students. She said, "The SistersIN programme goes beyond conventional education by empowering leadership in young girls. As a founding partner we are delighted to provide our stage for this event, and we take great pride in welcoming people close to the student - their parents, teachers, and programme mentors. 

It’s great to see everyone come together to celebrate the Class of 2024 and we look forward to supporting the continued growth and success of the SistersIN programme.

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

Reflecting on her SistersIN experience, Maka Chinanayi, a pupil at Hazelwood Integrated School who also gave a keynote address at the event, said, "Being part of the SistersIN programme has been a fantastic experience and I would definitely recommend that other schools and sixth formers get involved. 

One of the highlights of the programme was being involved in organising this celebration event, and having the chance to stand on stage and address my peers alongside some of Northern Ireland’s most influential female leaders is an experience I’ll never forget.

Visit sisters-in.org for more information.