El Salvador

Mi poder – mi voz: young people against gender-based violence (GBV)

In El Salvador, which is characterised by machismo and patriarchy, violence against women is omnipresent and often taboo. The country has one of the world’s highest feminicide rates. Despite laws, there is a lack of implementation. Together with our local partner organisation ‘Leer para Soñar, Sentir y Transformar, we train young women torecognise violence and challenge stereotypes.

Hear from the people on the ground

“I am grateful for all the strong women before us who have fought for our rights. My wish is that all girls worldwide can grow up in freedom.”
Junge Frau Projekt 2070

Carolina Ortiz from Opico
(name changed)
15 years old

Background

Feminicide, sexual violence and abuse are a bitter reality for many girls and women in El Salvador, both at home and in schools. Protection measures and legal assistance are inadequate and many cases are not reported or prosecuted. The climate of impunity increases fear and insecurity among women. The state and society are faced with the task of effectively protecting women, bringing perpetrators to justice and guaranteeing basic human rights and safety for women.

Project goals

The aim is to empower girls and young women by promoting their ability to act and enabling them to oppose gender-based violence (GBV).

Project activities

  • Strengthening rights. We inform girls and young women about their rights, help them to recognise stereotypes and identify gender-based violence (GBV) and promote self-care.
  • Creative forms of expression. In workshops on art therapy and audiovisual techniques, girls learn to express their feelings and experiences creatively. They develop their own campaigns, videos and posters.
  • Parents and caregivers. We train parents and caregivers in assertive and empathetic communication to promote support and understanding.
  • Discussion and empowerment. A camp for International Day of the Girl Child offers girls the opportunity to talk to their peers and share their knowledge.
Wichtig für Mädchen und junge Frauen: der gegenseitige Erfahrungs- und Wissensaustausch.

Beneficiaries

1,100 young women and family members are benefitting from our work in the current project phase.

Our partner organisation

‘Leer para Soñar, Sentir y Transformar’ was founded in 2016 by five young women. Since 2019, they have been particularly focusing on girls’ and women’s issues. terre des hommes schweiz has been supporting this organisation since 2024.

Project location and phase

The project is being carried out in nine municipalities in the department of La Libertad. The current project phase covers the year 2025 with an annual budget of CHF 50,000.