Creating Positive Change

Hawai'i Rotary District 5000 Girls' Empowerment Initiatives (GEI)

The Girls' Empowerment Initiative (GEI) is a framework and resource that enhances the ability of Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs, members, and leaders to participate in and promote service projects that focus on the health, education, safety, well-being, and economic development of the girls of our world.

We are asking Rotary clubs across the District to engage in activities that promote Girls' Empowerment.  Below are resources that the GEI committee hopes will be helpful.  We have provided a Speaker's Bureau and an Idea Bank for projects that clubs might undertake.

 
Important United Nations Days that Celebrate Girls
 
International Day of the Girl Child - United Nations October 11
International Day of Women and Girls in Science (STEM) Day February 11
International Women's Day of Peace May 24
 
IDEA BANK
(for GEI projects that clubs might undertake)
 
EMPOWERING GIRLS GOODIE BAGS PROJECT  A major need in our community as outlined in the Star-Advertiser on Monday, October 17, 2022 is the dire need for feminine hygiene products in schools and in organizations that serve homeless or at-risk youth.  Your club can make a difference with this project and it’s a good way to include your Interact or Rotaract Club.
 
Star Advertiser,   Mon Oct 17, 2022
 
Please have your club put the “Empowering Girls Goodie Bags” in discreet paper bags so that girls will not be embarrassed when picking them up from the distribution center in their school or organization.                    
 
EMPOWERING GIRLS GOODIE BAGS CONTENTS:
  • Individually wrapped feminine pads
  • Individually wrapped wipes
  • Individually wrapped panty liners
  • Small packs of Kleenex
  • May add in these items as well if desired
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
OTHER POSSIBLE GEI PROJECT IDEAS
  • Financial literacy training
  • Donate prom dresses & accessories for girls in High School-Bella Project
  • Provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities
  • for schools or after school programs
  • Introduce girls to non-traditional careers such as construction, maintenance etc.
  • Internet/technology safety training
  • Prevention of sex trafficking training
  • Training in self-defense
  • Reading to girls in school or in after school programs
 
SPEAKER'S BUREAU
 
The individuals in this list have been contacted and have agreed to be speakers on GEI issues.  Please let them know if the meeting will be virtual (by Zoom) or in-person, and how much time you require of them as a speaker.  Please indicate that Nancy Pace contacted them in September 2022 regarding speaking on how their organization helps to empower girls and women.
 
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Hawaii - provides quality after-school programs for young people, Executive Director Paddy Kauhane
  • St. Andrew's Priory - excels at delivering a quality education to girls, Head of School Ruth Fletcher
  • YWCA Oahu - provides quality programs for women and girls including Fernhurst, a transitional housing program for women who complete the YWCA furlough program, Chief Executive Officer Noriko Namiki
  • Salvation Army - is the only place in Hawai'i where women recovering from addiction can live and learn life skills while keeping their children with them, Family Treatment Center Executive Director Candice Pang
  • Parents and Children Together - serves at-risk youth through early childhood education, domestic violence prevent and intervention, behavioral health support, community building, and economic opportunity, President and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Kusumoto
  • Girl's Suicide Prevention and Awareness (AFSP), Kathleen Merriam
  • Ho Ola Na Pua - works to prevent sex trafficking and provide care for children who have been exploited, Island of Hawaii Anastasia Ayers
  • Residential Youth Services & Empowerment (RYSE) - provides a 24/7 access center in Kailua where disenfranchised youth can sleep safely at night, receive medical attention, meals, clean clothing, laundry, showers, counseling, GED education, and help from professional staff, Executive Director Carla Houser
  • Women's Fund of Hawai'i - supports innovative, grassroots programs that empower women and girls statewide. The Fund provides information and education on women’s and girls’ philanthropy, shines a light on women’s and girls’ issues, and increases the visibility of our grantees.  The Executive Director is Aleeka Kay Morgan, CFRE, M.S.
 
PAST GEI PROJECTS AND EVENTS
(we would like to keep track of what clubs have experienced this year around Girl’s Empowerment Initiatives.
Please email Nancy with any projects and/or speakers on GEI that your club has had
so that we can get the word out to other clubs and spread the success)
  • Saturday, July 30, 2022 - Girl-Up Feminine Hygiene Products Drive: Rotary Club of West Pearl Harbor funded this drive with the Waipahu High School Girl’s Up Club for the Institute for Human Services.