Education: A Right, A Lifeline, A Legacy

On 24 January 2026, Soroptimist International joins the global community in celebrating International Day of Education, reaffirming our commitment to advancing education for women and girls as a foundation for stronger, more resilient communities.

This year’s theme, When Women and Girls Learn – Communities Thrive, highlights the far-reaching impact of education. When women and girls have access to learning opportunities, they are better equipped to shape their own futures, support their families, and participate fully in their communities.

Enabling Access to Education for Women and Girls

Across the Soroptimist network, education is being advanced through practical projects that respond directly to local needs and contexts.

The stories shared for International Day of Education 2026 reflect a wide range of approaches – from classroom learning and vocational training to leadership development, health education – all demonstrating how education creates lasting benefits for individuals and communities.

This year’s submissions highlight initiatives that:

Support girls’ education and wellbeing, including literacy and language-learning programmes, tutoring for disadvantaged students, and school-based initiatives addressing period poverty and menstrual health education

Expand access to vocational and skills training, enabling women and young women to gain accredited qualifications and practical skills that support employment, entrepreneurship, and economic independence

Promote leadership, life skills, and mentorship, through camps, training programmes, and long-term support that build confidence, resilience, and active participation in community life

Strengthen access to education through long-term support, including scholarships and sustained programmes that enable women to complete their studies and contribute their skills and knowledge within their communities

Together, these projects illustrate how education — in many forms and at many stages of life — empowers women and girls to thrive, while contributing to stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities

The Road to Equality – Lugari Youth Leadership & Mentorship Camp, Kenya

In 2025 Soroptimist International (SI) was delighted to once again provide funding for the Lugari Youth Leadership & Mentorship Camp which is run annually in Kenya. Delivering against its’ strategic pillar of Education, SI partnered with Willing Hearts International Society Canada, to deliver the 2025 camp. 

The Camp, a 10-day intensive programme delivered at the Lugari Community Resource Centre in Kenya, is approved by the Kenyan Ministry of Education, It supports girls from diverse backgrounds by providing a structured learning environment where they gain knowledge, build confidence, and develop leadership and life skills essential for personal and educational advancement. The camp is held annually between late October and early November. 

The theme of the training, The Road to Equality, reflects the role of education in preparing women and girls to lead by educating, enabling, and empowering them through knowledge and skills acquisition. Founded over 15 years ago by Soroptimist Khayanga J. Wasike, herself an alumna of the programme, the camp has become a proven pathway for educational and leadership development. In 2025, participation exceeded expectations, with 250 girls attending instead of the planned 200, reflecting strong demand across Kenya’s 47 counties. 

The camp follows the progress of the girls after they leave, and newsletters share information on how the girls have pursued their pathways, much to the camp’s credit. Camp leaders follow the girls’ education achievements and other milestones to guide the project. Head teachers also report back to the camp at intervals after the girls have returned to school, having experienced the leadership camp.   

Since its inception in 2011, the camp has successfully nurtured over 2,100 young girls, equipping them with essential leadership skills that have enabled them to excel in academics, community development, and career pursuits. Subject to receipt of donations, Soroptimist International intends to support the 2026 camp enabling leadership potential to be developed in a further 200 girls.  

Aligning to SI’s strategic pillar of delivering educational opportunities for all women and girls, the programme advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), demonstrating how education remains a powerful tool for empowerment and long-term community impact. Educational sessions covered leadership, financial literacy, personal safety, menstrual health, and life skills. Practical learning includes sewing reusable underwear and the provision of washable menstrual hygiene kits lasting over three years, supporting girls to remain in school with dignity and confidence. 

Join Us in Celebrating Education

We believe education is the key to unlocking the potential of women and girls everywhere. Join us in advocating for lifelong learning by supporting our projects, sharing our stories, and celebrating the transformative power of education. Together, we can make every woman’s dream of learning a lifelong reality.