An appeal from the Gendarmerie départementale des Yvelines was the starting point of this project. On a daily basis, gendarmerie teams encounter women who come to file complaints in situations of extreme urgency, sometimes without personal belongings and with no immediate solutions available. This observation led the Soroptimists from Versailles, to imagine a simple and effective form of support.
The answer took the shape of emergency hygiene kits, available immediately when a complaint is filed. Designed to meet essential needs, these kits provide basic hygiene products and everyday necessities that can make a real difference in the first hours following a report. Beyond their practical function, they help improve the quality of the reception offered to women and contribute to preserving dignity at a particularly delicate moment.
The project was built through close cooperation with the gendarmerie, whose operational expertise guided the selection of the contents. Each item was chosen for its usefulness, discretion, and ease of distribution. The kits are packaged in the yellow-and-white zippered bags from the Soroptimist France boutique, ensuring both practicality and clear identification.
Implementation was rapid. Between April and July 2025, two Soroptimists from Versailles mobilised intensively over a two-month period, contributing a total of 336 volunteer hours. Fundraising was carried out through the sale of a book written by Rina Dupriet, Past President of Soroptimist International Union of France (2006-2008), member of the Soroptimist Club of Versailles, as well as Soroptimist International’s representative to UNESCO. The book was published to mark both the centenary of Soroptimist International and the adoption of the constitutional law of 8 March 2024 on the decriminalisation of abortion. This effort made it possible to cover the full cost of the project and to plan for its continuation.
This first phase allowed 20 women to benefit from the kits. While this figure reflects an initial action, it also highlights the targeted nature of the initiative, designed to complement existing support systems rather than replace them. Feedback from the gendarmerie has confirmed the relevance of the approach and the positive impact on both victims and frontline teams.
By responding directly to a clearly identified need, the Soroptimists from Versailles have demonstrated how attentive listening and practical action can translate into meaningful support. The club intends to pursue and develop this initiative, ensuring that this discreet yet essential assistance remains available whenever it is needed.
Bintou Koïta
Senior Programme Officer (SIE HQ)