On 5 June 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, Save the Children, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children's Rights (HACR), organised the exchange programme “Outstanding Girls’ Clubs – Connecting and Inspiring”. The event was held under the project “Girls Unstoppable” for the 2025–2026 period, aiming to promote children’s meaningful participation, especially that of girls, in the school environment.
The programme brought together representatives from central and city-level authorities, social organisations, education experts, school representatives, and more than 230 outstanding students from 19 girls’ clubs across Ho Chi Minh City. It provided an opportunity for students to connect, share effective models, present their initiatives, and engage in direct dialogue on issues related to children and the school environment.
Photo: An overview of the event
Implemented by Save the Children and HACR in 19 lower secondary schools, the project “Girls Unstoppable” focuses on creating safe spaces where girls are heard, encouraged to express their views, develop leadership skills, and confidently participate in matters that affect them.
Through the project, 19 girls’ clubs have been established and maintained in schools, serving as spaces where girls can share their thoughts and concerns, learn new skills, support one another, and carry out community-oriented initiatives. More than 450 core girl members have strengthened their capacities in leadership, social-emotional skills, and activity organisation. The project’s communication, education, and dialogue activities have also reached more than 20,000 students, over 1,000 teachers, and around 10,000 parents.
During the exchange programme, members of the girls’ clubs discussed a wide range of practical topics, including child protection, gender equality, prevention of school violence, online safety, and mental health. Students’ questions, recommendations, and aspirations were listened to and responded to, helping to strengthen dialogue mechanisms in schools and affirming children’s role as active agents in building safe, equal, and friendly learning environments.
Photo: Girls actively discussing during the event.
Gia Han, a Grade 9 student in Ho Chi Minh City, shared her hope that schools would continue to maintain children’s forums and school dialogue activities so that students have more opportunities to express their thoughts and aspirations. She also proposed that every school should have a “mental health stopover” to support students in coping with academic pressure, peer pressure, and challenges in life.
Photo: Gia Han sharing at the event.
“We believe that when children’s voices are listened to and respected, we will grow to become more mature, more confident in forming our own opinions, and more responsible towards our families and society,” Gia Han shared.
Speaking at the event, Ms Nguyen Pham Duy Trang, full-time member of the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Society and Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights, commended the confidence, resilience, and bold spirit of the girls’ club members. She expressed her hope that the clubs would continue to serve as spaces for connection, inspiration, and positive change in schools and communities.
Photo: Ms. Duy Trang speaking at the event.
For Save the Children, accompanying girls’ clubs is not only about supporting extracurricular activities. It is part of a long-term commitment to promoting child-centred education, advancing gender equality, and ensuring that all children, especially girls, have the opportunity to be heard, protected, and supported to reach their full potential.
Empowering girls today means nurturing a generation of confident, responsible young people who are ready to work with their communities to build a more equal, safe, and sustainable future.
