The outcome of the next generation lies in the way we change the future, Nikki Henderson, skipper of the yacht Maiden, said on Friday.

The Maiden’s all-female sailing crew are setting sail on a two-year world tour to promote their mission to raise awareness and funds for girl education projects and the empowerment of women across the globe.

Through The Maiden Factor Foundation, their mission is to raise awareness for the 130 million girls around the world who are denied an education and other basic human rights which most Western societies take for granted.

Princess Haya, daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan, is a key supporter of Maiden Factor.

Speaking before the Maiden’s departure from the Grand Harbour Marina on Friday, Henderson said that she and the rest of the crew will be sailing around the world to promote not only education for young girls but also young boys, and to empower those woman across the world who struggle to voice their rights. She said that she is grateful for organisations such as the Jarhead Young Sailors and Olwyn Foundations, who continue to help convey the message of empowerment for both young women and men.

She said that the crew were so happy to see 20 young girls and boys greeting them when they had arrived in Malta earlier this month, an example of the positive effects of their actions and the message they are trying to spread.

 

More than just a passion for sailing - two years at sea is a brave commitment

Addressing the event, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca wished the crew all the best of luck on their journey. She said that these women should be very proud that they are sailing all around the globe to encourage education for all. She said that the Maiden’s crew have more than just passion for sailing – they have the commitment and the courage to stand up for the inequalities.  She said that this year the United Nations commemorated the 70th Anniversary of the Deceleration of Human Rights, and that the opening of the Deceleration states that ‘we are all born free and equal’ which, she points out, is anything but the case. She said that many still lack universal human rights, such as education and shelter.

She said that in Malta we practically have most fundamental rights, like free education and free healthcare, but there is a lack of female representation. She urged the authorities to continue taking the necessary steps to bring about equal representation in society. She said that there are quite a number of countries which still are struggling to gain proper education, let alone representation in society and that the UN statistics show that 39 million girls aged 11-15 are not in school.

The President said that there must be more awareness and promotion on what organisations like the Maiden Project and initiatives like the Maiden urge the international community to do much more.

The administrator of Jarhead Young Sailors, Wilfrid Buttigieg, spoke on the behalf of the two foundations – the Jarhead Foundation and Olwyn Foundation.

He said the Maiden’s stop in Malta is a valuable lesson for locals to learn more about the story behind it and to support the mission.

He reflected on one of the charities which the Maiden is raising funds for, the Orchid Project, which is related to female genital mutilation - a procedure which not only has numerous infections such as HIV, but also psychological trauma for many young girls.  He said that such projects are working to stop such procedures and to change thousands of young girls’ lives.

 

‘The crew are true role models who are working towards improving girl’s education’

Lorraine Spiteri, the chairperson of Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations and the co-chairperson of Empower, explained the background of Empower. In October  2017, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and 17 female organisations came together to form a foundation to promote and ensure a strong voice for young girls and women and to promote equality. She explained that the platform highlights numerous barriers which Maltese men and women face, and is devoted to work towards full equality for all citizens, regardless of gender, race or age. She said that those in Empower believe that through educating the young generation they can break gender stereotypes and prejudices. 

Stephanie Falzon, also co-chair of Empower and President of Business & Professional Women (BPW), said that the organisation, part of BPW International, works entirely for the empowerment of young girls and women and that every national organisation works towards their own initiatives. As an example, BPW Germany is working for equal pay and BPW Nigeria is fighting for the girl child to go to school.

She said that “on paper Malta lives the dream. There is a law for equal pay, free health care, free education and childcare, and students go to University. But where are all these women graduating going?”

She highlighted Malta’s culture of strong family ties and the role of the housewife. Falzon said BPW has organised the 7th edition of Career’s Day, inviting all 14-year-old girls in Malta to meet women who have reached the top of their career or those working towards it, so that young girls are influenced by women in the workplace. She said that boys are now being invited too, as it is also important to empower them and that they understand that their female peers will grow up to be housewives, their colleagues or even future bosses, and that these girls have just as much potential as boys.