Thank you to Soroptimist International of Europe, SI Club of Yerevan (Armenia) and SI Club Aarau (Switzerland) for their contributions.
SI Club Yerevan, Armenia
Empowering Forcibly Displaced Women from Karabakh Through Education in Armenia
The Soroptimists of Yerevan launched an initiative to support young women displaced from Artsakh (Karabakh) by recent military conflict, aiming to provide both immediate relief and educational support to improve their livelihood in Armenia.
With the support of the Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE) Disaster Fund, the project targeted 30 women, offering them vocational training through the TeachMe centre in fields like Social Media Marketing (SMM), Graphic Design, and UI/UX Design, chosen for high job demand in Armenia.
Through social media outreach, 33 women applied for courses, with 15 selected for the SMM program, resulting in six participants already finding employment, including a position at TeachMe itself.
In addition to training, the club provided critical relief, distributing 100 sets of blankets and bedding to refugee families across Armenia. With limited financial resources, each Club member also took responsibility for supporting a family, supplying essential items like washing machines and warm clothing.
Key results include:
- Six women employed in SMM, two in Graphic Design, and one in UI/UX roles, with several others at the interview stage.
- Five trainees expressed an interest in volunteering with the Club.
- The Club aims to further assist seven additional women eager to enrol in SMM but constrained by finances.
This project has become a model of success and compassion within the Soroptimist community, illustrating the impact of focused relief combined with professional development.
Testimony from a beneficiary:
“I am Milena Ordiyants, a professional carpet weaver from Nagorno-Karabakh, displaced to Armenia after the 2023 conflict. Joining the Soroptimists of Yerevan project gave me invaluable business knowledge, connections, and hope. To my surprise, I received a carpet weaving loom and threads as a prize, which became the foundation of my small business. Thanks to this support, I can create again and plan for the future. The skills, inspiration, and psychological support I gained, have empowered me to pursue my dreams.”
Milena features in the image above.
SI Club Aarau, Switzerland
Finance courses for women
Globally, women lag behind men in financial education, with a 2020 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) study revealing that men score an average of 4 points higher out of 100 in financial literacy tests.
Regardless of income level, women also tend to have significantly less confidence in their financial skills compared to men. This disparity spans several areas, including saving and investing, personal tax management, and credit management.
In Aarau, Soroptimists are tackling this issue head-on with their ‘Finance courses for women’ project, aimed at boosting women’s financial literacy in their community. Soroptimists identified a crucial gap: many women were not fully aware of their personal finances, social insurance, or the options available within the Swiss pension system. They also noticed that various lifestyles affected budgeting and pension planning, leading to potential financial difficulties.
To address this, Soroptimists partnered with Budget-und Schuldenberatung Aargau Solothurn, a local state budget and debt counselling service, to develop and offer three tailored courses. These courses, focusing on budgeting and retirement planning, were held at a co-working space in Aarau and provided free of charge. The primary goal was to empower women with the knowledge and tools needed to take control of their financial futures.
To reinforce the lessons learned, the Soroptimists created a comprehensive brochure titled ‘Everything about your budget’. This resource allowed the 45 participating women to revisit and apply the course material in their daily lives.
The project’s impact has been profound. One participant shared that, “For the first time, I am able to create and stick to a budget, significantly reducing my stress levels, especially at the end of the month.” Her story underscored the initiative’s importance and transformative potential.
Overall, the project aimed to empower women through education, equipping them with the financial literacy skills necessary to confidently navigate their economic landscape. The positive feedback and success stories from participants affirm the value and necessity of the Soroptimists’ efforts
Soroptimist International of Europe Committed to Lifelong Learning
On this UN International Day of Education, Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE) reaffirms its dedication to lifelong learning as a cornerstone of empowerment and progress. Education does not stop after formal schooling—it is a journey that continues throughout life, enriching individuals and enabling them to make a positive impact on their communities.
SIE takes lifelong learning to heart and actively provides webinars and workshops for their members on diverse and relevant topics, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for change.
One particularly significant focus is addressing violence against women. Through these educational sessions, SIE provides its members with comprehensive information, including the latest statistics, in-depth background knowledge, and strategies for raising awareness and promoting prevention.
As one participant shared, “The webinar on Violence Against Women reminded me that behind every statistic is a real woman who has experienced violence. I’m deeply grateful for the tools SIE has provided, helping us respond more effectively and compassionately.”
By educating its members, SIE strengthens their ability to make a difference in their local communities and beyond. On this special day, SIE celebrates the power of education to transform lives and reaffirm its commitment to fostering lifelong learning for a better, more equitable future. Together, we can continue to empower women and girls through education, advocacy, and action.
Comments are closed.