International Day of Education 2025 – SIAF

As we celebrate International Day of Education in 2025, Soroptimist International Africa Federation proudly highlights its impactful initiatives in lifelong learning, vocational training, and scholarship awards that are changing lives across the continent.

Highlighting the impactful work of SIAF, we examine the impactful stories of three individuals, Fatoumata, Hawa, and Hanane. Their narratives underscore the transformative influence of Soroptimist initiatives in fostering education, gender equality, and empowerment across Africa as well as the exceptional potential fulfilled by each of these women.

Fatoumata, pursuing Civil Engineering, credits Soroptimist International for her confidence and success in STEM fields. Hawa, aspiring to be a medical doctor, expresses gratitude for Soroptimist International Club-Yaoundé’s role in shaping her leadership skills and self-esteem. Hanane’s journey, supported by SI d’Agadir, exemplifies the profound impact of education grants in enabling her to achieve academic excellence and become a teacher.

Scholarship and excellence awards: recognising potential, inspiring change

Soroptimist International (SI) Clubs foster opportunities through education, providing scholarships and awards to support girls and young women in achieving their academic and career goals.
These scholarships ease financial burdens, motivate excellence, and equip young women to play an active role in community and national development.

SI Club Yaoundé, Cameroon, leads the way by empowering young women to excel in science and leadership.

Recent recipients include:

• Hawa Lea Nouria Wule: a second-year medical student excelling in her studies at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé
• Fatoumata Shamsia: a civil engineering student breaking barrier in a traditionally male-dominated field
• Momo Jennifer: Pharmacologist at the School of Medicine, Yaoundé

Similarly, SI Club Kisumu, Kenya supports education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, enabling students like:

• Mercy Adhiambo: studying Microbiology and Molecular Biology
• Lovenda Cherono: studying for a Diploma in Clinical Medicine
• Hannah Oleko: pursuing Industrial Chemistry
• Quinter Achieng: a Computer Science graduate, who is now contributing to her community as a Soroptimist

Through their education, these young women are challenging stereotypes and paving the way for future generations.

Professional & Vocational Training: Equipping Women for Economic Independence

Vocational training programmess run by Soroptimist Clubs in Africa equip women and older girls with marketable skills, enabling them to achieve financial independence and lead dignified lives.

Thank you to Soroptimist International Africa Federation (SIAF) and all the Clubs listed below for their contributions.