Empowering ecuadorian girls for stopping violence

Since the last report, the Girls Club has continued to grow as a safe space for young girls to build essential skills and foster personal and collective empowerment. In recent months, various activities have been implemented, including community events, academic visits, cultural explorations, and workshops on emotional development. These initiatives have provided opportunities for the girls to set educational goals, and build emotional resilience, preparing them to pursue their dreams and become positive agents in their communities.

The Girls Club organized a community bingo event to raise essential funds for its members, bringing together local families and supporters for an enjoyable day of games and community spirit. The funds raised during this event will be used to help the girls enroll in various educational courses and skill-building workshops that align with their academic and professional goals. Through these courses, the girls will gain valuable skills and insights that will positively influence their future careers, academic journeys, and overall personal growth.

The club visited ECOTEC Technological University, where they participated in a series of activities designed to encourage goal-setting and reflection. Gathered in a chalk-drawn circle, each girl received a balloon on which they wrote a personal goal. They played within the circle, protecting their balloons as a symbolic way to learn how external factors might challenge their dreams. The session concluded with feedback, emphasizing the importance of staying resilient in the face of obstacles and protecting one's aspirations.

The girls then created "Vision Boards", a visual tool that allowed them to map out their personal dreams and goals. Using magazines to select images representing their aspirations, each girl crafted a unique board, creatively titled or dated to reflect when they aim to achieve these goals. To further clarify their ambitions, they completed a matrix to outline strategies that would help them stay focused and motivated.

In a final reflective discussion, each girl shared her experience with the matrix, addressing questions like, "Was it difficult to envision my goals?" "Who do I consider my support system?" and "What do I need from myself to succeed?" This exercise prompted self-reflection, enabling the girls to identify both personal and social resources that support their growth.

Additionally, the girls participated in an emotional management workshop, which took place in SocioVivienda, beginning with a welcome activity based on the game “Simon Says,” aimed at enhancing concentration, self-control, and active listening. This was followed by the "Calm Circuit," where stations offered techniques such as deep breathing, guided meditation, positive visualization, and stretching, equipping the girls with practical strategies for managing daily stress. In a concluding group activity, the girls created "Emotional Maps," identifying emotions they experience throughout the day and reflecting on which are hardest to manage. They shared techniques for handling emotions more effectively, like deep breathing and counting to ten, fostering an environment of mutual support and empathy.

The participants appreciated the "Calm Circuit" exercise, noting that some scenarios represented real-life situations they faced. They felt empowered to express their thoughts openly, demonstrating leadership qualities and encouraging others to participate. The session provided a safe space for open dialogue, where each girl felt understood and supported, ultimately enhancing their self-awareness and emotional regulation skills for daily life.

These recent initiatives of the Girls Club have significantly strengthened its role as a supportive community where young girls can cultivate essential life skills, academic ambitions, and emotional resilience. Through interactive workshops, reflective discussions, and practical activities, the girls have gained tools to manage their emotions, set and pursue meaningful goals, and build confidence in their individual and collective journeys. The experiences shared within this space have fostered a profound sense of community, self-awareness, and empowerment, preparing each participant not only to navigate challenges but also to positively impact their communities. Moving forward, the Girls Club remains committed to inspiring and equipping young girls to pursue their dreams with resilience and purpose.