Empowering ecuadorian girls for stopping violence

Now in its third stage of development, the Girls’ Club continues to strengthen its mission of empowering young women, promoting community participation, and fostering personal and social growth through workshops, group dynamics, and events centered on reflection and social integration.

General Objective
To promote the empowerment of girls and young women in the community through spaces for learning, dialogue, and participation that encourage social awareness, gender equity, and community activism.

Main Themes Developed During the Quarter

• Mental Health:
  Participants engaged in open conversations about the importance of emotional self-care and the healthy management of emotions. These discussions helped the girls recognize their feelings, find safe ways to express them, and support each other in times of stress or sadness.

• Raising Awareness:
  Activities focused on identifying social issues affecting their surroundings and exploring the role each young person can play in creating positive change. Through debates and collaborative exercises, the girls reflected on how small actions can make a real difference.

• My Environment and Designing Change:
  The participants analyzed their community’s realites and proposed initiatives to improve coexistence and neighborhood well-being. This process fostered critical thinking and strengthened their sense of responsibility toward their environment.

• Joining Forces:
  Teamwork and leadership activities encouraged collaboration and collective problem-solving. The girls learned to value diversity within the group and recognize that true leadership is built through cooperation and empathy.

• Activism in Society:
  This topic introduced the concept of activism and its relevance in processes of social transformation. The girls explored how activism can take many forms—through art, education, or civic participation—and how each person can contribute to social justice.

• Types of Activists:
  Participants identified different ways of engaging in social causes, from artistic expression to political action. These reflections inspired them to discover their own voices as agents of change.

• Activism and Gender:
  The girls discussed the role of women in social movements and the ongoing struggle for equality. They reflected on how gender perspectives influence activism and why it is essential to amplify women’s voices in public life.

• Women in Activism:
  Through storytelling and visual presentations, participants learned about historical and contemporary women leaders who have shaped movements for justice and human rights. These stories served as inspiration for their own community engagement.

Special Activity: International Day of Peace

On September 22, 2025, the Girls’ Club celebrated the International Day of Peace with a community event held at the covered court. The girls formed a marimba dance group, aiming to honor Afro-Ecuadorian cultural traditions and convey a message of unity and hope through art.

The performance was met with great enthusiasm from the community, highlighting the creativity, commitment, and joy of the participants. This celebration not only strengthened their collective identity but also showcased the girls’ talent and leadership within their community.

Conclusion

The activities carried out during this period significantly contributed to the personal and group growth of the participants. Increased engagement, confidence, and community involvement were clearly observed.

The two Girls’ Clubs continue to consolidate themselves as spaces for learning, empowerment, and positive transformation, where young women become true agents of change within their communities—building a future grounded in solidarity, equity, and hope.

Now in its second year, the Girls’ Club has achieved significant milestones as a space for personal and collective empowerment. It is evolving into a safe environment brimming with possibilities, where participants come together to create, solidify, and persevere in pursuing their dreams.

From the initial workshops, participants expressed feeling heard, valued, and free from judgment. The sessions, based on participatory methods and group reflection, have fostered trust, encouraging the girls to share life experiences, emotional challenges, and personal aspirations.

"A Day for Us"

Objective: Create a safe and welcoming space where the girls can meet, share experiences, form connections, and establish a solid foundation for future activities.

During this session, the girls introduced themselves and enjoyed a pleasant moment together. Through interactive activities like “Toothless Introduction” and “Ponytail Race,” an atmosphere of trust, openness, and joy was created. These playful and spontaneous dynamics broke the ice, enabling the girls—many meeting for the first time—to form emotional connections.

This initial interaction reinforced both individual and collective recognition, making each girl feel welcomed and valued. It laid the groundwork for a united group filled with enthusiasm for continued participation.

Testimony:

• NN: “From the first session, I felt this place was different. It makes us feel heard and united.”

"Imagining Together a Space to Grow"

Objective: Facilitate the collective creation of norms and agreements within the Girls’ Club to promote active participation, mutual respect, and group commitment, strengthening coexistence and positive group dynamics.

During this session, participants were invited to envision their experience within the club. Using brainstorming, drawings, and posters, they collaboratively established foundational agreements emphasizing respect, empathy, confidentiality, and thoughtful communication.

Rather than being imposed by facilitators, the norms were co-created through collaboration, negotiation, and active listening. This process not only prevented future conflicts but also solidified a participatory and democratic dynamic.

The agreements were visually presented during the session to remind and reaffirm them in each meeting.

Testimonies:

• NN: “Norms are important because they help us relate respectfully.”
• D: “Here, we decided together how we want to treat each other.”
• N: “Reaching mutual agreements made everything flow better.”

"Rediscovering Myself: The Magic of Being Me"

Objective: Promote self-awareness among participants, helping them identify their qualities, strengths, and areas for growth to strengthen self-esteem and foster a positive and realistic self-view.

During this session, the girls identified at least two personal qualities or strengths. Frequently mentioned traits included empathy, resilience, responsibility, and creativity. Through brainstorming, they reflected on how these traits have shaped their lives, especially in navigating the vulnerabilities and instabilities they face.

For instance, resilience has enabled them to remain steadfast in pursuing their life projects despite crises. They recognize their ability to dream and set professional goals.

"My Body Changes and Grows"

Objective: Promote self-acceptance and confidence among girls and adolescents by addressing concerns through education.

This session focused on the physical changes of puberty, the insecurities they may bring, and strategies to address them. Participants shared experiences such as their first menstruation and how prior education shaped their reactions.

Testimonies:

• NN: “Some of my friends were scared, but I wasn’t much because I had already been told about it.”
• NN: “At school, they tell us it’s normal.”
• A: “When my period is near, I carry sanitary pads and wipes. I learned that last year in a workshop.”

"My Personal Space, My Personal Boundary"

Objective: Develop the participants’ ability to recognize, respect, and communicate personal boundaries, strengthening their confidence and fostering healthy interactions in various contexts.

This session combined theoretical and practical approaches to understanding physical and emotional boundaries. Participants explored scenarios where they felt uncomfortable or pressured and learned to articulate their emotions.

Through everyday examples (at home, school, or social media), the girls discussed the right to say “no” without guilt and the importance of respecting others’ boundaries. Techniques like body visualization symbolized their “personal space,” culminating in a “Wall of Boundaries” with empowering phrases:

• “My body is my home; only I decide who enters.”
• “When I say ‘no,’ I’m protecting myself, and that deserves respect.”
• “I deserve to feel safe. No one has the right to cross my space.”

"Healthy Relationships and Self-Esteem"

Objective: Guide participants to recognize their self-worth as a foundation for fostering respectful, authentic, and balanced relationships in all areas of life.

This session explored the connection between self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Using an emotional timeline, participants reflected on moments when they felt valued or mistreated and how these experiences impact their relationships today.

Concepts discussed included:

• Relationships based on respect and equity
• Differences between affection and control
• Warning signs in friendships or romantic relationships
• Self-love as a starting point

The session concluded with an activity, “Letter to My Valuable Self,” where participants wrote messages of self-love and goals to nurture healthy future relationships.

Reflection:
“Today, I realized that valuing myself means not begging for affection.”

Conclusion

The Girls’ Club is more than a series of workshops—it is a transformative space of active listening, sincere emotions, and shared laughter. Here, the girls not only learn about boundaries, self-esteem, and healthy relationships but also rediscover themselves through the stories of others, strengthening group empathy and solidarity.

This space values each voice and testimony, turning “I can’t” into “Yes, I did it.” Every small step is a victory.

We remain committed to creating spaces like this where girls can dream, grow, and thrive together.