2024 Recipient—Jacyl Shaw (1989)
The Val Kerr Fellowship Grant Program offers financial support up to $10,000 to Old Collegians who are planning to undertake a not-for-profit venture that aligns with OCC values and promotes the empowerment of women, female leadership, education or social entrepreneurship.
This year’s applicants are working on programs ranging from women’s sport and health to tourism businesses and leadership programs. With so many worthwhile projects being conducted, the committee had a difficult choice, but we are thrilled that the recipient of the 2024 Val Kerr Fellowship is Jacyl Shaw (1989).
Her venture will involve the exploration and evaluation of women’s leadership programs in the ASEAN region to understand good practice and identify opportunities to include young women cohorts.
The grant will support a research study tour to examine successful leadership models and identify barriers preventing younger women from participating in these programs. This initiative aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 5, of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
Jacyl is passionate about empowering women. Throughout her career, she has sought to create opportunities support young people, especially young women.
“The Global Gender Gap benchmarks gender-based gaps in four areas: economic participation and opportunity; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment. Last year’s report highlighted that we are still 135 years away from global gender equity; thus disadvantaging women’s human rights and making them more vulnerable, and exposed to exploitation and with fewer opportunities in professional and personal lives.”
The OCC is delighted to be supporting Jacyl in this project.
