HEALTHY GIRLS - HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
At ADMWE, we recognise the critical importance of establishing safe and supportive spaces within educational institutions. Our project is dedicated to empowering young girls against domestic and gender-based violence by creating environments where they feel secure and valued. By fortifying protective mechanisms, we ensure that every girl has access to essential resources and psychosocial support tailored to their unique needs. Our goal is to foster resilience and confidence among young women, equipping them with the tools necessary to thrive academically and personally.
Through partnership with the project implementing organisation, we advocate for awareness, intervention, and education on issues related to domestic and gender-based violence. By putting a strong emphasis on community involvement and support systems, we aim to transform educational settings into nurturing environments that promote empowerment and achievement.
Project Introduction
The “Healthy Girl – Healthy Environment” project is a school-based initiative designed to prevent domestic and gender-based violence, promote mental health, and empower girls and young women. By fostering youth participation, strengthening protective mechanisms in schools, and providing psychosocial support, the project aims to create safe, supportive environments where girls can thrive.
Project Contribution to Combating Violence and Supporting Mental Health:
The project plays a vital role in addressing violence and promoting mental well-being through the following actions:
- Promoting awareness of the rights of girls and women to foster respect and equality
- Educating both youth and adults on violence prevention and healthy, respectful relationships
- Offering psychosocial support and reintegration services for survivors of violence
- Empowering young leaders and amplifying the voices of girls to advocate for change
- Strengthening the capacity of schools and community stakeholders for sustainable violence prevention
Supporting Mental Health While Addressing Gender-Based Violence:
The project supports mental health and combats gender-based violence by:
- Safeguarding the rights and dignity of girls and women
- Raising public awareness and mobilizing communities to prevent violence
- Providing trauma-informed psychosocial care and reintegration pathways for survivors
- Preventing violence through education and behavior change initiatives
- Elevating youth voices and encouraging active participation in ending violence and discrimination
- Building the capacity of frontline organizations working in violence prevention and mental health
Breaking the Cycle of Violence & Raise Awareness
Violence against women and girls is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. This project seeks to dismantle the harmful cycle of violence by educating young women and empowering them to speak out and seek help. Through workshops and support groups, we create safe spaces where participants can share their experiences and build stronger community ties.
Fostering a Culture of Respect & Educating Youth
Respect is at the heart of every healthy relationship. Through this project, we aim to foster a culture that values respect among individuals. Workshops focus on developing communication skills, conflict resolution, and understanding of personal boundaries. By instilling these values, we help to create a generation that prioritises respect each other in all interactions.
Building Support Structures Where School and Community Maintain Sustainable Environment
In addition to fostering awareness, the project recognises the need for robust support structures. We collaborate with local organisations to create extensive referral networks that provide access to mental health services, counselling, and social support. By connecting women and girls with available resources, we ensure that they have the support necessary for their mental and emotional well-being.
Increasing Youth Leadership and Amplifying Girls' Voices
Project looks on building the leadership capacities of young people—particularly girls—through targeted training, mentorship, and opportunities for civic engagement. It aims to create safe, inclusive platforms where girls and young women can express their views, participate in decision-making, and take on leadership roles in their communities, schools, and further.
Project Beneficiaries
- 1200 Girls from grades 6 to 12 of 4 selected secondary schools in Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar City. The project will then be scaled up throughout the nation.
Measurable outcomes will include:
- Participation of 1200 girls in awareness and empowerment campaign targeting high school students in four secondary schools (each with approximately 300 students)
- Meetings, medical check-ups and trauma assessments for 500 girls;
- Professional psychological counseling to 300 girls;
- Engage parents, boys, and educators (a total of 200 participants) through an advocacy campaign focused on increasing awareness, prevention of violence, and highlighting the importance of their involvement;
- Empower all participating girls by enhancing their leadership skills and ability to express their voices, targeting specific groups and promoting inclusive, meaningful change starting at the school level and expanding into the wider community.
Planned Project Activities
Month 1: Preparation Activities
• Send official letters to partner organizations, schedule meetings, share project information, and establish cooperation agreements
• Select target schools, sign cooperation agreements with school administration, teachers, and staff
• Other preparatory works
Month 2: Introduction & Awareness
• Girls' Council Initiative Launch Event
• “Power is Protection” training for girls, teachers, and parents (rights, types of violence, responsible stakeholders)
• Special workshop “5 Keys of Communication” for parents and homeroom teachers (with a psychologist)
Month 3: Voices Heard
• “Hear Me” anonymous suggestion box and QR-linked feedback platform
• “Personal Diary” campaign for girls (self-expression, safe personal space)
• Comic book/poster competition for students, parents, and teachers (“Right, Not Wrong Communication”)
Month 4: Peer Influence
• Establish “I Respect” club for male students with open discussions
• Open podcast/video lesson on “Relationships and Boundaries” led by Girls’ Council
• “Positive Relationship – Positive Classroom” challenge in classrooms
Month 5: Teacher & Staff Engagement
• “Invisible Violence” training for teachers and staff (identifying and resolving conflict situations)
• Develop “5 Steps to Support” guide with school psychologist and teachers
• Organize one emotional awareness day for students in each class
Month 6: Parent Involvement
• “Father & Daughter Day” – a day for fathers to engage with their daughters
• Mothers’ discussion “Partner, Not Just a Helper” (supporting girls’ growth and self-protection)
• Podcast/infographic package for parents “Help Your Daughter”
Month 6: Reflection & Improvements
• “Moments of Impact” sharing event for all participant groups
• Award and promote outstanding initiatives by the Girls’ Council
• Propose additional recommendations for school regulations to ensure girls' rights and safety
Project Implementing Organisation
Social Democratic Women Association in Mongolia
The Association was established in 1994 under the name "Women, Development, and Movement." As it approaches its 30th anniversary, this nongovernmental organization, operates under a Social Democratic framework that emphasizes Mongolia's independence, human rights, freedom, justice, unity, and fundamental national interests.
The primary activities of the Social Democratic Mongolian Women's Association include organizing training and empowerment initiatives to increase women's representation at decision-making levels.
The association focus on:
- ensuring gender equality,
- protecting women's rights,
- conducting research, and planning and implementing policies.
Additionally, we support local and capital branch associations, provide professional management methodologies to the council, coordinate policies and activities, and collaborate with civil society and international organizations to implement various projects and programs.
In terms of structure, the Association consists of a president, a general secretary, 15 vice presidents, 54 board members, 5 policy council members, 10 supervisory committee members, and 306 conference members. Furthermore, it has 115,000 members and supporters spread across 21 provinces, 330 sums (districts), the capital, and 9 districts, each with its own branches and councils.
The Central Association’s Secretariat consists of 5 members.
The Social Democratic Women's Association of Mongolia has over a 30 year of expertise implementing projects on gender equality, violence prevention, mental health, and youth empowerment.
The Sukhbaatar District branch has directly engaged with 44 schools by establishing and strengthening Girls' Councils, organizing preventive education campaigns, and supporting psychosocial well-being initiatives. The organization has successfully partnered with local authorities, schools, and international donors to implement projects focused on reducing gender-based violence, building youth leadership, and enhancing community responses to domestic violence.