Empowering ecuadorian girls for stopping violence

In the first year of execution of our project, "Empowering Ecuadorian Girls to Stop Violence", we have achieved significant achievements that play a crucial role in the current context of violence in Ecuador. We sincerely thank our donors for their continued support, which has allowed us to address the challenges identified by the participating girls.

From September 2023 to date, we have implemented effective strategies to create an environment of respect, friendship, trust and sisterhood among the participants. We have had the constant participation of 15 girls, highlighting the commitment and consolidation of the group. The flexibility of meeting times has facilitated the attendance of those girls who study and work, and the assignment of responsibilities has encouraged leadership within the group. Some of these responsibilities are arriving on time to club meetings, collaborating in awareness-raising activities about violence within the sector by preparing educational material and supporting the coordination of workshops. The club meets once a week from 2:30 to 4:00pm.

These months have been fundamental to consolidate the group and plan the activities for 2024, considering the established bases. We have closed registration for the club with a total of 53 girls registered, establishing two groups of different age ranges, the first is 13 to 16 years old and the other group is 17 to 24 years old, showing significant interest in participating in the club. .

In the context of the situation of violence in Ecuador, it is crucial to recognize that girls, identified as vulnerable in our previous report, need sustained support over time to avoid becoming easy prey for violence. The club has been an effective response in addressing academic gaps, low self-esteem and communication difficulties identified as the main problems.

Considering that the first stage has already been completed, where strong bonds of trust were established between us as a foundation and the girls, who allowed us to know in depth their needs and concerns, we have established a much more holistic planning for the continuation of the project in 2024. The workshops and activities will be carried out through four fundamental dimensions: cognitive, instrumental and individual and social. Cognitively, it will focus on the development of creativity and critical thinking for problem solving. In the instrumental dimension, we will seek to relate adolescents aged 17 years and older with the world of work through the development of cooperation and negotiation techniques, along with positive experiences, that allow them to see themselves professionally and as generators of change. The individual dimension will address the development of resilience and communication to strengthen empathy, self-esteem and social participation. Additionally, sexual and emotional education will be provided for the prevention and management of teenage pregnancies.

This project not only seeks to resolve the individual challenges of the participants, but also aims to build a more resilient and fair future for the country. Investment in the empowerment of these young women is essential, as they represent the future of Ecuador. By working with them to develop skills such as emotional intelligence, critical thinking and resilience, they are equipped with the necessary tools to break cycles of violence and contribute to a more equitable society. These young women, once empowered, become agents of change capable of positively influencing their environment and, in turn, society in general.

In conclusion, the first year of “Empowering Ecuadorian Girls to Stop Violence” has laid the foundation for a lasting impact. This project not only transforms the individual lives of the participants, but also contributes to the construction of a more just, equitable and violence-free Ecuador, where the empowerment of young women is the catalyst for social transformation. We thank our donors again for making this transformative project possible and look forward to the next year of work.