Women and Girls

International Development UK

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Women and Girls is one of The Salvation Army International Development UK's five areas of work.

We are working with women around the world to ensure they have equal access to rights and opportunities, and the freedom to flourish.

The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland territory currently supports projects for Women and Girls in Bangladesh and South Africa.

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The children now have the confidence to speak out.

Volunteer, Solomon Islands

Four young women from Solomon Islands talking about safety

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

Each year, the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key moment in which individuals, communities and organisations call for an end to violence against women and girls. It begins on 25 November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and runs until 10 December which marks Human Rights Day.

In 2023, the 16 Days of Activism coincided with the Pacific Games hosted by Solomon Islands. Statistically, occurrences of sexual violence and human trafficking increase significantly during international sporting events. The Salvation Army therefore recognised both the unique opportunity to reach a large audience - with thousands of international visitors expected in Honiara - and people’s increased vulnerability to exploitation.

The Salvation Army Solomon Islands organised a campaign to embrace the opportunities and target the vulnerabilities presented during this large-scale event. They worked alongside 16 communities in Burns Creek Settlement as they already had a strong presence in this area, and it is in close proximity to the sports stadiums.

Volunteers from Honiara Corps and local NGO, Hope Trust, received training in The Salvation Army Child Protection Policy, Trauma Informed Care, and the A21 Early Childhood Prevention Program. The campaign utilised A21 resources which focused on teaching children to identify safe and unsafe people and distinguish between safe and unsafe touch through interactive stories and activities.

The programme was well attended and highly valued by all the communities, evoking confronting stories of vulnerability and abuse, while facilitating encouraging moments of empowerment, as the participants applied the lessons to their context.

Comments from volunteers included:

“The 16 Days of Activism program is a great opportunity to raise and highlight gender-based violence in the community setting, involving the leaders and community in the conversations while enabling and empowering the community to look within and identify solutions and responses to mitigate the risk to the female members of the community.”

“...I learned lots from the children. It was good to discuss with them in groups about the safe people that they can identify. I really appreciate this program.”

“The children now have the confidence to speak out.”

We all have a role to play in creating a fair and just world for everyone.

Listen to Women and Girls: Actively listen to the experiences, challenges, and achievements of women and girls around you. Create spaces where they feel heard and valued.
Share the Care: Recognise and address the disproportionate burden of caregiving that often falls on women. Whether it's within your own home or advocating for policies that support parental leave and childcare. Sharing care responsibilities benefits everyone.
Advocate for Economic Equality: Support women-owned businesses, advocate for equal pay, and promote workplaces that provide opportunities for women to thrive and advance in their careers.
Acknowledge Male Allies: Take the time to celebrate men who actively support gender equality. Highlight male role models who promote respect, support and equality in their interactions and communities.
Encourage Young People: Mentor the next generation, educating girls and boys about gender equality, and provide them with the tools to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity.
Include Women in Decision Making: Advocate for equal representation of women in leadership positions. Recognise the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.
Say Thank You: Take a moment to express gratitude to the women in your life. Send a message acknowledging their contributions, whether it's a colleague who has mentored you, a friend who has supported you, or a family member who has inspired you. Let them know how they have positively influenced you.
Support The Salvation Army's Work with Women and Girls: Donate and raise awareness about how The Salvation Army is supporting women and girls through international projects.

If you would like to find out more about our work, order resources or get involved in advocacy or fundraising, simply contact us and we will be happy to help.

The Salvation Army International Development UK, 101 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BN

Telephone +44 (0)20 7367 4777

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Our Develop Podcast features conversations about how a faith-based organisation tackles poverty around the world. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Acast or wherever you get your podcasts.

Areas of Work

We work alongside communities in the areas of Anti-Trafficking, Clean Water, Emergency Response, Food Security, and Women and Girls to support them to overcome poverty and injustice. We are also responsible for overseeing the transfer of funds for the UK’s Mission Support Allocation (money donated through the annual Self-Denial Appeal).