SOFERES Project Highlights & Impact Summary!
Ending School-Related Gender-Based Violence -SRGBV Project (2020-2022)
Funded by Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Global Spotlight Initiatives under UN Women, the project aimed to eliminate school-related gender-based violence and ensure refugee adolescent girls in Dzaleka Camp could access education free from discrimination and harm.
Key Achievements & Impact:
- Increased Education Access: More girls enrolled and completed their education.
- Empowered Girls in Leadership: Girls gained confidence and actively participated in decision-making at school and community levels.
- Behavioral & Attitudinal Change: Boys, parents, and community members became advocates for girls' education and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
- Capacity Building: Teachers and school administrators were trained on safe learning environments and gender-responsive teaching.
- Scale & Reach: Directly impacted 2,500 schoolgirls across 12 primary schools and indirectly reached over 40,000 refugees.
Women’s Livelihood and Economic Empowerment Program (2021 – Present)
With financial support from Women First International Fund, this program empowers refugee women in Dzaleka with tailoring, business management, and financial literacy skills to achieve financial independence and sustain SOFERES’ impact.
Key Achievements & Impact:
- 180+ women trained in tailoring and entrepreneurship.
- Startup kits distributed, including sewing machines and capital, enabling business startups.
- Women-led cooperatives established, providing stable incomes through garment production.
- SOFERES’ institutional capacity strengthened with improved office infrastructure and equipment
ASK4Girls Project (2022-2023)
Funded by the Obama Foundation under the Girls Opportunity Alliance Network (GOA), this project aimed to support out-of-school girls in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in returning to and thriving in education, particularly those affected by COVID-19 school closures.
Key Achievements & Impact:
- 1,000+ Girls Re-Enrolled in School: The program successfully identified, mentored, and reintegrated girls into formal education.
- Life Skills & SRHR Training: Provided essential knowledge in reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and leadership, empowering girls to make informed decisions.
- Improved School Retention Rates: Girls not only returned to school but also gained the confidence to stay enrolled and advocate for their rights within their communities.
- Community Engagement & Advocacy: Parents and community leaders were actively involved in creating a supportive environment for girls' education.
Improving Food Security and Income for Refugee Women (2023)
Funded by the UNHCR under Refugee-Led Innovation Fund, this project aimed to support 200 smallholder farmers in Dzaleka and surrounding areas to enhance food security and livelihoods.
Key Achievements & Impact:
- Agricultural Training & Inputs: 200 farmers received training in climate-smart agriculture and farm inputs to improve productivity.
- Increased Food Security & Income: Households experienced improved food availability and higher incomes through sustainable farming practices.
- Strengthened Community Resilience: The project promoted cooperative farming, fostering knowledge-sharing and economic stability.
Global GLOW Program (2023 – Present)
Funded by Global Girls Leading Our World (Global GLOW), the program empowers refugee girls in Dzaleka Camp to enhance their confidence, amplify their voices, and develop leadership skills.
Key Achievements & Impact:
- Directly impacted over 300 girls through GLOW Clubs, providing a platform for growth and expression.
- Significantly increased participants' self-esteem, advocacy skills, and leadership abilities, enabling them to take on active roles within their communities.
- Strengthened peer support networks, creating a united, empowering environment for girls within Dzaleka Camp, fostering solidarity and collective action toward social change.
Increasing Food Production and Income for Refugee Women (2024)
Funded by One Day’s Wages, the project supports 30 vulnerable refugee women farmers in Dzaleka Camp by promoting climate-resilient agriculture and livestock rearing.
Key Achievements & Impact:
- Trained women farmers in climate-smart agriculture and goat rearing, equipping them with sustainable farming techniques.
- Facilitated the formation of agricultural cooperatives, fostering financial empowerment and collective growth.
- Enabled women to save funds, access start-up capital, and market their produce, significantly enhancing their economic independence and resilience. The project has contributed to improved livelihoods and long-term sustainability for these women in the face of climate challenges.
Safe from the Start: Reducing and Mitigating GBV in Dzaleka (2024)
Funded by UNHCR under the “Safe from the Start” Initiative, this project aims to reduce and mitigate Gender-Based Violence (GBV) among forcibly displaced women and girls.
Key Achievements & Impact:
- Trained 180 representatives from refugee women-led organizations and community leaders, enhancing their capacity to effectively respond to GBV.
- Implemented community-based theatre performances and radio dramas, directly impacting over 25,000 people and raising awareness about GBV prevention.
- Established digital storytelling platforms for survivors, allowing them to share their experiences and advocate for GBV prevention.
- Strengthened women-led organizations and local leadership, fostering their ability to lead and sustain GBV prevention and response efforts in the community.
View Our Blogs
From Silence to Leadership: Esther’s Story!
This story was documented and produced with financial support
Grace’s Triumph Over Sexual Violence
This story was documented and produced with the financial support
Empowering Refugee Women in Dzaleka: The Women’s Livelihood and Economic Empowerment Program
For refugee women in Dzaleka Refugee Camp
Our main goals
The Ending School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) Project (2020-2022) aimed to eliminate gender-based violence in schools and ensure refugee adolescent girls in Dzaleka Camp could access education safely and without discrimination. Funded by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund & Global Spotlight Initiatives under UN Women, the project focused on increasing school enrollment, empowering girls in leadership, and fostering behavioral change among boys, parents, and community members to support girls’ education and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
Additionally, the project strengthened the capacity of teachers and school administrators to create safe, gender-responsive learning environments. It directly impacted 2,500 schoolgirls across 12 primary schools and indirectly reached over 40,000 refugees, laying the foundation for long-term change in promoting gender equality in education.
