Revellers at the Bengali Workers' Association on Saturday enjoyed an Eid Party with a new lease as life, as 15 girls from the Girls Leadership Program at Surma Community Centre turned the once traditionally male-dominated party on its head. 

The girls had aimed to strengthen community ties through involving women and children more heavily in the celebration and their efforts were an obvious success as over 300 people from across community, including a large number of women.

Community initiatives co-ordinator Mariam Hassan hailed the event as "the way forward".

She said: "all the past events have been very heavy in the numbers of men…  we thought it is time to do something different."

She praised the girl's organisational skills saying "they did really well". 

The party included performances by children from a range of cultural backgrounds, games, a raffle, a photo booth, henna and face painting.

Ms Hassan added: "There was Carrom Board too which was such a lovely site as we had older men do it, then their children who are in their mid 40s and 50s, then their kids so it was great as you saw the generations doing it. The kids loved it, it was something their grandparents were doing it and now they are doing it" Miriam said.

The Girls Leadership Program is an initiative which provides support, career advice and opportunities for over 30 girls through weekly meet-ups at the  Surma Community Centre.

The organisers, 15 girls aged between 14 and 19, were keen to inject energy and bring a younger dynamic to the event as well as improve their events management skills and form closer bonds within the community.