A national initiative has been launched to empower girls to recognize and respond to abuse and danger.

The project, spearheaded by reigning Miss Jamaica Festival Queen, Aundrene Cameron is dubbed ‘Girls Who Fight Back’, and focuses on equipping girls with the knowledge and skills to respond to threats.

The initiative teaches girls about detection, de-escalation, and defense in a bid to empower them.

Self defense workshops will be held in St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth and Portland, targeting 40 girls.

Speaking at the launch ceremony for the project on Saturday, Gender Minister Olivia Grange, praised Cameron for the decision to channel her victory into a project that addresses one of society’s most pressing issues, gender-based violence.

Grange urged corporate Jamaica to support the initiative, to make a tangible difference in the lives of young girls across Jamaica.

She noted that through partnership, the girls can be given the resources and support needed to empower them to defend themselves and break free from the cycle of violence.