Girls on the Run Fall 5K celebrates empowerment and confidence in Waunakee – WMTV 15 NEWS

Report on the ‘Girls on the Run’ Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview

• Event: Girls on the Run Fall 5K
• Location: Waunakee, Wisconsin
• Participants: Students from schools across South Central Wisconsin
• Focus: A non-competitive, celebratory event concluding the seasonal program, emphasizing personal achievement rather than speed.

Program Objectives and Alignment with Global Goals

The ‘Girls on the Run’ program is a physical activity-based youth development initiative designed to teach essential life skills. Its core mission is to create a positive and empowering environment that fosters confidence and teamwork among young girls and those who identify as girls. This approach directly supports several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The program promotes holistic health by integrating physical activity with emotional and mental development.

  1. Encourages regular physical activity through running, contributing to physical fitness.
  2. Fosters mental well-being by building confidence and self-esteem in a supportive, non-competitive setting.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  Beyond traditional academics, the initiative provides crucial life skills education.

  1. Participants learn valuable lessons in teamwork, collaboration, and perseverance.
  2. The curriculum focuses on social-emotional learning, a vital component of a comprehensive and quality education.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The program is fundamentally centered on empowering its participants, directly addressing the core tenets of gender equality.

  1. It creates a dedicated space to uplift and empower young girls.
  2. By building confidence and leadership skills, it equips participants to challenge gender-based barriers and advocate for themselves.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The success of the event highlights the power of community collaboration.

  1. The 5K event demonstrated a multi-stakeholder partnership involving schools, coaches, and families.
  2. The collective support from parents, guardians, siblings, and the wider community exemplifies a successful partnership model for achieving development goals.

Community Engagement and Future Outlook

The Fall 5K event was characterized by strong community and family engagement, with a network of supporters cheering on the participants. This collaborative spirit is essential for the program’s sustained impact. The initiative is set to continue its work, with registration for the Spring 2026 season scheduled to begin in February, signaling an ongoing commitment to these developmental objectives.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article highlights the “Girls on the Run Fall 5K,” an event centered around running. This physical activity directly contributes to the physical health of the young participants.
• The program’s focus on creating a “positive environment” and promoting “personal achievement” rather than speed supports the mental well-being of the girls, as mentioned by coach Jessie-Rae Starr.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article states that the “Girls on the Run program teaches young girls about teamwork, confidence and essential life skills through running.” This represents a form of non-formal education that equips participants with valuable social and emotional skills beyond the traditional academic curriculum.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The program’s explicit goal is to “empower girls, and people who identify as girls,” which directly aligns with the core principle of SDG 5. By building confidence and providing a supportive network, the program works to uplift and empower a specific gender group.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being. The article emphasizes that the program is designed to be a “positive environment” meant to “uplift” and “empower girls.” This focus on positive reinforcement and personal achievement over competition directly contributes to promoting mental well-being.

Targets under SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development, including gender equality. The program teaches “essential life skills,” “teamwork,” and “confidence,” which are crucial skills that help promote gender equality by empowering girls from a young age.

Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. While the program does not directly end discrimination, its mission to “empower girls” is a foundational strategy to help them build resilience and confidence to overcome societal barriers and the effects of discrimination.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for SDG 3

• Participation in physical activity: The article mentions the “Girls on the Run Fall 5K” event, indicating organized physical activity. The number of girls and schools participating (“Schools across South Central Wisconsin”) can serve as an indicator of engagement in health-promoting activities.

Indicators for SDG 4

• Acquisition of life skills: The article explicitly states the program teaches “teamwork, confidence and essential life skills.” The existence and continuation of such a program is an indicator that education in these areas is being provided.

Indicators for SDG 5

• Programs promoting gender equality and empowerment: The “Girls on the Run program” itself is an indicator. Its stated purpose to “empower girls” and create a “positive environment” for them serves as a measure of initiatives aimed at fostering gender equality.
• Community Support for Female Empowerment: The mention of “parents and guardians and aunts and uncles and siblings” coming together to support the girls indicates a level of community engagement and support for the empowerment of young girls.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: wmtv15news.com