For International Women’s Day, Salesian Missions highlights programs that educate and empower women and girls
(ANS – New Rochelle, N.Y. – March 6, 2026) – Salesian
Missions of New Rochelle joined humanitarian organizations and countries around
the globe in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8. The day honors
the economic, political, and social achievements of women while focusing the
world’s attention on areas requiring further action.
This year’s theme #GivetoGain encourages a mindset of
generosity and collaboration. According to the International Women’s Day
website, the theme “emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When
people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and
support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional
multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise. Whether through donations,
knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education,
training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create
a more supportive and interconnected world.”
Fr. Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions,
explained, “Salesian missionaries living and working in more than 130 countries
are focused on empowering young women and girls with targeted programs. These
programs provide opportunities for education and training that lead to livable
wage employment. The goal is to empower young women so they are able to make
good life choices for themselves, have hope for the future, and achieve their
dreams.”
In honor of International Women’s Day, Salesian Missions is
proud to share Salesian programs around the globe that educate and empower
girls and women.
ECUADOR
The Maria Auxiliadora Formation Center in Ecuador held
training initiatives for women in Esmeraldas who face unemployment, lack of
resources, gender violence, and abandonment, or who are heads of household. The
training was taught by 3 lay professionals and included 12 courses over 6
employment sectors.
A Salesian explained: “Providing this training has allowed
women to gain the skills needed for employment. Some are able to find jobs
after the training while others start a small business of their own. Most
important, they are able to earn an income to become self-sufficient.”
The center was launched 10 years ago in the San Rafael
Valley, in the province of Esmeraldas, with the collaboration of the Salesian
Ecuador Project and the Salesian San Juan Bosco Community in Esmeraldas. The
mission was to support vulnerable populations in a place marked by violence,
drug trafficking, poverty, and lack of opportunities.
INDIA
Don Bosco Nava Nirman, located in Muniguda, India, provided
scholarships for 32 girls thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions. The
school was developed in 2010 after the Kandhamal violence in the region in
2008. One of the greatest contributions Salesians make in the region is through
their education, especially for youths who are poor and marginalized.
A Salesian noted: “We have been concentrating on the
education of girls and young women, which is an urgent need in this area.
Generally, girls are marginalized by the parents as well as the society at
large as they are not seen as potential earners in the workplace. Our entry
into the education of the girls is in a way an attempt to transform this
general perception. Today, thru support provided to us, we are able to educate
many girls through our scholarship program.”
Donor funding helped to offset the cost for hostel fees, as
well as academic fees and book purchases. Although the school received funds
for 26 scholarships, it was able to make scholarships available for additional
children. In total, 32 children received financial support for their education.
MALAWI
Don Bosco High School, located in Nkhotakota, Malawi, has
improved living conditions for 80 young girls thanks to donor funding from
Salesian Missions. The project funding was used to purchase 5 buildings as well
as the adjacent land. The new area was also fenced for safety.
3 houses were renovated and adequately equipped. One house
and another building were taken down because they were not in good condition. 7
toilets and 14 showers were constructed, as well as a stand for two 5,000-liter
water tanks. Water and electricity were also connected.
A Salesian explained: “The main objective of the project was
to create better safety and living conditions for the school girls. This was
achieved, and as a result, the girls punctuality improved because of the
availability of more showers, toilets, and water.”
Jenallah Mkandawire is a teacher at the school. Before the
project, she noted that the living conditions were not adequate for the girls.
She explained: “Now the girls are on time and have adequate water for washing
their clothes and sanitary needs. Since they have more places to wash
themselves and to wash their clothes, the general hygiene of school has
improved.” ,
SIERRA LEONE
Don Bosco Fambul, located in Freetown, Sierra Leone and one
of the country’s leading child-welfare organizations, supports young women who
have been victims of the sex trade by providing them with training in hotel,
catering, tailoring, or hairdressing disciplines, or formal education.
Recently, 35 school pupils and 50 skills-training students received financial
aid, food, and clothing through support from donors including Medicor
Foundation, Jugend Eine Welt, and the City of Vienna.
Every beneficiary received a bag of rice to help meet her
nutritional needs, a cash contribution to support daily expenses, and a packet
of assorted clothing items to enhance her comfort and dignity. This support is
crucial in improving the overall well-being of the youths and enabling them to
thrive in their respective environments.
Don Bosco Fambul also facilitates the Mobil Project,
designed to identify areas where children living on the streets and girls
involved in commercial sex work face significant risks. The project’s primary
mission is to recruit youths in need into the program, provide them with
rehabilitation and support, and reintegrate them into society as empowered
individuals. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Mobil Project proudly
supported 55 students in grades ranging from primary and senior secondary
school. The students received school bags, learning materials, and financial
aid to cover their school fees and other associated expenses.
A Salesian said: “This crucial support ensures that these
students can concentrate on their education without the burden of financial
challenges. This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without
the generous contributions of our incredible donors. Their unwavering support
is making a lasting impact, transforming lives, and paving the way for a
brighter future for these children. We thank them for being a part of this
journey.”
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