Room to Read
Championing girls’ education in India and Vietnam
Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read develops children’s foundational literacy skills, as well as life skills that promote gender equality. They nurture these essential skills in children by training and coaching educators, creating quality learning materials and spaces, strengthening education systems, and delivering programs directly and with partners – all while honouring the dignity of every child.
Committed to accelerating learning outcomes for more children, more quickly, as of February 2026, Room to Read has benefited 52 million children across 29 countries. They envision a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow.
Despite a 39% decrease in out-of-school girls between 2000 and 2023, 122 million girls remain out of school globally. Adolescent girls aged 15-19 in South Asia are three times more likely than boys to not be in school, employment or training
Sourced by UN Women, 2025
The Swarovski Foundation has supported Room to Read's Girls’ Education Programme across Asia since 2015. The Girls’ Education Programme empowers girls to overcome social and economic barriers by equipping them with the life skills, confidence, and support needed to succeed in school and beyond. necessary to succeed in school and beyond. Through our long-standing partnership, the Swarovski Foundation’s grants have supported children and adolescents across Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
The Girls’ Education Programme include the following activities: life skills sessions to help girls develop competencies such as critical thinking or problem solving; individual and group mentoring sessions with educated, strong women who support girls emotionally and guide them; family and community engagement to create environments that support girls’ success; and material support to help participants with costs such as tuition fees, uniforms or transportation to ensure they can attend school. By addressing the gender-based barriers that often lead to school dropouts, the programme prepares girls to advocate for themselves and navigate challenges both in and outside the classroom.
In 2025, building on the success of the partnership, the Swarovski Foundation approved a new grant to help Room to Read scale up their programming by integrating key elements of the Girls’ Education Programme into the national curricula of India and Vietnam for wider impact.
An additional Action Fund grant was also approved to support Room to Read’s initiatives to ensure education continues in emergency contexts, with a focus on the Middle East.
Image courtesy of Room to Read
At the Swarovski Foundation, we take pride in supporting organisations like Room to Read that empower girls and women.
Between 2015-2025, the Swarovski Foundation has supported
2200
children and adolescents across Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam
This includes
72
Boys as part of a pilot progamme in Cambodia designed to strengthen their awareness of harmful social norms
In India and Vietnam, an average of
86
percent of programme alumnae is either ennrolled in tertiary education and/or are employed within one year of secondary school graduation – an achievement in communities where, on average, only 20% of girls complete secondary school.
Our partnership supports Room to Read’s capacity to promote quality education and gender equality in India and Vietnam by ensuring more girls have access to learning opportunities which help them graduate with skills preparing them for higher education and employment opportunities.
When equipped with the life skills to advocate for themselves, girls are more likely to choose to stay in school, gaining more skills and knowledge to pursue higher education or higher-paying jobs, which will lead to economic growth in their communities.
Room to Read's education programming is made possible by global partnerships mobilising communities of education champions, from local educators to government agencies as well as funders.
I remember the emotion management lesson the most because I get angry quickly and act based on my emotions. The lesson taught me how to identify and name my feelings. I also learned that I cannot always be happy and that emotions such as sadness, anger, and disappointment are completely normal. Most importantly, I know how to manage my feelings and anger. In such a situation, I often listen to music or go outside to take deep breath to make myself more comfortable.
Thanh Vietnam
I have never missed any meetings or parent’s workshop … Thanks to participating in activities, I know how to support my child's learning at home better, pay attention to the appropriate place for the study corner, space, and lighting so that my child can study effectively!
Thanh's Mother Vietnam
To learn more visit roomtoread.org
