b'SI of Europe >>>Soroptimist International of Europe is made up of 34,000 Soroptimists in 62 countries - with national Unions and Clubs initiating and implementing over 4,000 projects each year to Educate, Empower and Enable women and girls.>>> Orange the worldThe Union of Belgium turned its attention to Violence >>> Dream It, Be It: Career Support against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the run up to the for Girlsannual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Fifty-four Clubs Many young women face barriers to education andwithin the Union combined career progression, which include poverty, teenskills and determination, to motherhood, or instability in their home lives. Dream It,support the United Nations Be It is designed to recognise such obstacles, andSecretary Generals call to to provide girls of secondary school age with theOrange the world.Through information and resources they need to establish careerpartnerships to maximise goals. Working in partnership with girls in small groupsvoice, the Union promoted the direction, guidence, campaign to local press and and within conference settings, SIA clubs in 21 I loved the whole idea oflocal authorities, increasing countries and territories providethe global visibility of the Soroptimist movement in mentoring and resourcesempowering us. They madeBelgium and the global challenge of VAWG.for girls in a safe, empowering environment. us feel like no matter ourAn estimated 100,000 people witnessed the campaign The inspired programmebackground or situation, wemessaging which included promotional banners and includes career guidancecan make it. We can becomemedia coverage, even inspiring Brussels Town Hall to and development turn orange. The Ghelamco Arena, in Ghent, Belgium, unlocking potential andsomething successful. promoted the Unions message at its 20,000 multi-use supporting girls as theyDream It, Be It participant stadium and a symposium was organised in Ghent, make choices for the futurethrough a partnership between the Soroptimist Union of and take steps to realise their Belgium and Zonta International. aspirations and dreams.Images: Courtesy of Joelle Leder Photography 11'