Building a dream for future women

Businesses, schools and government have all joined together to “Build a Dream” for women and girls in Windsor and Essex County.

As part of a celebration for International Day of the Girl, Hackforge Windsor invited females to its community centre on Oct. 11.

The purpose was to get girls to think about careers they might never have considered.

“We are not only bridging the skill shortage (in Windsor-Essex), but we break down gender stereotypes that have long existed,” said Nour Hachem-Fawaz, board chair for Build a Dream, which was founded in 2014.

The International Day of the Girl was declared by the United Nations on Oct. 11, 2012. It is devoted to supporting more opportunity for girls and increasing awareness of gender inequality including access to education and nutrition.

At Hackforge on Wednesday, children and their parents, community partners and the members of Build a Dream enjoyed the campaign with food and drinks.

”(We’re here to) make sure girls are more aware of what they can be when they grow up and that they can do whatever they want to do,” said Tessa van Zetten, who came with her daughter.

Statistics Canada indicates there is a gap in this country in the workforce between men and women – there are about one million more men working.

“I absolutely find the activities, events and community here definitely helps everybody with their jobs,” said van Zetten. “For the girls, everybody individually sees that there are opportunities. It’s very effective and they really do a great job.”

Meanwhile, Hachem-Fawaz said the Conference Board of Canada reports a shortage of more than one million skilled workers is forecasted by 2020, with an estimated 40 per cent of those in the skilled trades and technology industries.

“We are here today to celebrate our accomplishments but also talk about the important work that needs to continue to break down the barriers facing young women in achieving their goals,” said Hachem-Fawaz.

“It comes down to the power of choice,” she added.

Build a Dream included pictures of girls dressing in work uniforms and holding a board typed with “My dream is to be…” .

Hachem-Fawaz asked people to reflect back when they were a child and consider what influenced their decision about the future when someone asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“We were showing all these young women, just have different occupations, to really help empower the future generation.”

The fifth annual event of Build a Dream will happen at Ciociaro Club on Nov. 2. They especially welcome young women in Grades nine to 11 and their parents to learn about career opportunities.