Community Workshop Sheds Light on Challenges Facing Florida's Girls

The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Broward County, is organizing a community workshop titled 'State of the Florida Girl.' This event is set to take place on Saturday, August 23, at the North Regional Library in Coconut Creek. The workshop aims to discuss the findings of a recent report that highlights the pressing issues affecting girls across Florida, including emotional wellness, academic challenges, and physical health concerns.

The 'State of the Florida Girl' report reveals startling statistics, such as 52% of high school girls experiencing prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a 40% increase in depression rates over the past decade. Furthermore, the report indicates that one in four girls has seriously considered suicide, a figure that has risen by more than 60% in the last ten years. Academic hurdles are also prevalent, with one in eight girls missing school due to safety concerns, and girls being 1.5 times more likely than boys to stay home after being bullied. The issue of cyberbullying is particularly acute, affecting twice as many girls as boys.

Physical health is another area of concern, with 36% of girls perceiving themselves as overweight, despite only 32% meeting the medical criteria for being overweight or obese. This perception is especially pronounced among AAPI girls, with 32% describing themselves as overweight when only 14% meet the medical definition. The workshop, featuring a keynote by Elle Harrigan, Chief Advancement Officer for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, and a panel discussion, offers a platform for community engagement and action. 'These findings are a call to action,' Harrigan stated. 'We must address girls' mental health, academic equity, and physical safety with urgency.' For more details on the workshop, visit https://bit.ly/3U1E0GB.