International Day of The Girl Child 2025 – SIE

Soroptimist Club of Slatina, Romania

Continuation of Sex Education to Prevent Teenage Pregnancies

In Romania, the Soroptimists of Slatina are working tirelessly to address one of the country’s most pressing challenges: the alarming number of underage pregnancies. To respond to this issue, they launched the project ‘Continuation of Sex Education to Prevent Teenage Pregnancies,’ which ran from September 2022 to August 2025.

The project delivers educational activities in schools across Olt County, led by doctors, psychologists, and members of the Soroptimist Club of Slatina. Workshops, debates, and lectures provide both girls and boys with essential knowledge about reproductive health, gender equality, and the prevention of early pregnancies. At the request of teachers, sessions are sometimes held separately, creating safe spaces for open dialogue. Parents, teachers, and family doctors are also involved, ensuring the message extends throughout the community.

Beyond prevention, the Romanian Soroptimists are committed to supporting underage mothers. In partnership with local authorities, they encourage girls who have left school to return, offering moral and material assistance to help them and their children build brighter futures.

This initiative is strengthened by the contribution of the Soroptimists of Arendal-Grimstad in Norway, whose solidarity highlights the power of international cooperation. Together, they are demonstrating that education and community support can transform lives.

So far, 152 people – students, parents, and teachers – have directly benefited. More importantly, the project has opened dialogue on a sensitive subject, encouraged schools and authorities to act and contributed to shifting perspectives on reproductive health education in Romania.

On this International Day of the Girl Child, the Romanian Soroptimists remind us of a powerful truth: education is not just about learning – it is the key to empowerment. By giving girls the knowledge, confidence and support they deserve, we help ensure they can shape their own futures.

Soroptimist Club of Oulu, Finland

Supporting Girls’ Education in Cambodia: A Continuing Commitment from the Finnish Soroptimists

The Soroptimists of Oulu are committed to advancing education as a pathway to empowerment for girls, both locally and globally. In 2024, they embarked on a meaningful initiative to support the education, health, and well-being of a schoolgirl in rural Cambodia through the Cambodia Academy in Mongkol Borei.

The Cambodia Academy, founded in 2004 and recognised within the Cambodian educational system, provides children from the poorest backgrounds with not only quality schooling but also essential services such as meals, transport, and medical care. It also equips students with vital skills in IT, English, and art—tools that help prepare them for a brighter future. This holistic approach makes the Academy a beacon of hope in a country where gender inequality and the risks of violence and human trafficking remain deeply entrenched.

For the Finnish Soroptimists, the choice of this project was both strategic and personal. A Club member who had visited the Academy twice saw first-hand the transformative work being carried out, inspiring the Club to take action. Their decision to sponsor a girl, cared for solely by her grandmother, ensures she can continue her studies and access the opportunities education provides.

To raise the necessary funds, the Oulu Soroptimists organised a Christmas concert in partnership with the Oulu Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral Parish. The event not only secured the annual support fee but also generated additional funds to contribute to the Academy’s urgent plans to modernise its sanitary facilities—improving conditions for all 350 students.

Through correspondence with their sponsor girl and close collaboration with the Academy, the Finnish Soroptimists have forged a genuine bond of solidarity across continents. The project is aligned with the Soroptimist mission to empower women and girls through education, demonstrating how local action can create global impact.

On this International Day of the Girl Child, the Soroptimists of Oulu highlight a simple but powerful truth: every girl, regardless of where she is born, deserves access to education, health, and dignity. Education equips girls with the tools to break cycles of poverty, resist violence, and build futures filled with possibility.

For the girl in Cambodia, and for many others like her, the commitment of the Soroptimists is more than financial support—it is an investment in her potential and her right to thrive.

Soroptimist Club of Tonder, Denmark

Education: Tailoring Training for Young Women in Kisoko Dida, Uganda

The Danish Soroptimists proudly celebrate a project that demonstrates how education can transform lives and pave the way to empowerment. In Kisoko Dida, a rural village in Tororo, Uganda, young women are gaining not only tailoring skills but also the confidence and independence to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Initiated through close collaboration with SI Tororo, Uganda, and supported by nine Soroptimist clubs from Denmark (Haderslev, Rødding-Gram-Toftlund, Kolding, Tønder, Sønderborg, Varde, Aabenraa, Grindsted-Billund, and Vejen) this project has become a beacon of hope for girls and women too often denied educational opportunities due to poverty, early marriage, or teenage pregnancy.

In 2023, the third intake of students completed a six-month training program. The 48 trainees received professional instruction in sewing techniques, fabric design, and machine use, as well as vital lessons in marketing, business skills, and personal empowerment. At the end of the course, 36 women proudly graduated with certificates in front of their families, communities, and local authorities—a moment of recognition that affirmed their newfound identity: from nobody to a tailor, from nothing to something.

The project does more than teach practical skills. It offers meals during training, supports mothers attending with young children, and even helps graduates find employment by producing school uniforms locally. These initiatives not only strengthen women’s skills but also ensure the sustainability of the training center itself.

The Danish Soroptimists view this work as part of their broader mission to advance women and girls worldwide. Rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (including Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Decent Work) this project shows how global partnerships can change lives at the most local level.

As one young graduate, Achieng Catherine, expressed: “I am happy that I have trained in tailoring. I will use my knowledge to pay for my child’s school fees, hospital bills, and clothes. I will work hard to get my own sewing machine. God bless you.”

Her words remind us that when girls are given education, they are given the tools to break cycles of poverty, resist gender-based violence, and become leaders in their communities.

For the Danish Soroptimists, this project is more than training—it is empowerment stitched into every seam, a celebration of the resilience and potential of every girl.

Soroptimist Club of Kempen, Belgium

Care Free Periods

The Soroptimists of Kempen are committed to removing barriers that prevent girls from accessing education, with a particular focus on period poverty. The Soroptimists of Kempen are determined to ensure that menstruation is no longer a taboo topic and that every girl can attend school with dignity and confidence.

Since 2021, the Belgian Soroptimists have been implementing this project with remarkable dedication. By providing free sanitary towels to schools, and integrating menstrual health education into lessons, the project empowers girls to manage their periods without fear or embarrassment. In 2024 alone, the Soroptimists of Kempen visited a new school to introduce the initiative, while replenishing supplies at existing partner schools, benefiting over 1,500 students.

The approach goes beyond simply distributing products. The Soroptimists emphasize creating a supportive environment where menstruation can be openly discussed, helping to break down social stigmas and promote gender equality. By engaging school staff and maintaining regular communication, they ensure the sustainability and integration of the project into school life. Challenges, such as reaching the right contact person or dealing with staff turnover, are addressed through persistent follow-up by email and phone, reflecting the Soroptimists’ commitment to effective implementation.

This project is unique in its holistic approach. Unlike initiatives that focus solely on providing free sanitary products for girls facing financial hardship, Care Free Periods addresses the cultural and social taboos surrounding menstruation. It promotes inclusivity and confidence for all girls, reinforcing that education and self-determination are inextricably linked to health and empowerment.

By championing this initiative, the Soroptimists of Kempen demonstrate the power of education and community action to transform the lives of young women. Care Free Periods is more than a project—it is a statement that every girl deserves the tools, knowledge, and support to thrive, learn, and embrace her full potential.