2026 Sophie de La Roche Prize: SHEROES Project Honored for Empowerment and Prevention Work

Empowering young women, challenging social structures, and taking preventive action against violence: For this commitment, the SHEROES project of the German Red Cross Offenbach District Association has been awarded the 2026 Sophie von La Roche Prize by the City of Offenbach. The prize honors innovative contributions to gender equality and has been awarded every two years since 2009. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 10, at the Bernardbau in Offenbach. Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke emphasized the social significance of this year’s award: “SHEROES impressively demonstrates how sustainable violence prevention can succeed. The project empowers young women to confidently forge their own path, critically question societal expectations, and actively advocate for equality. This commitment is of great importance to our urban community.”

The award is named after the Offenbach writer Sophie von La Roche, who, as early as the 18th century, created public spaces for women as an author and publisher. As one of the first economically independent female writers of her time, she is still regarded today as an important pioneer for women’s social participation and visibility.

City Councilwoman Gertrud Marx, Chair of the Equality Commission and Chair of the jury, explains: “SHEROES creates spaces where young women can find their voice, share experiences, and empower one another. Particularly impressive is the approach of turning participants themselves into advocates. This is empowerment in action and a strong sign of how gender equality work can have a lasting impact.”

At the heart of the project are regular group meetings where young women come together to address topics such as gender roles, patriarchal structures, identity, discrimination, sexuality, self-determination, and feminism. Through workshops, discussions, and interactive activities, they reflect on their own experiences, discuss societal expectations, and develop strategies for dealing with discrimination and violence.

In the process, the participants are not only empowered but also trained to pass on their knowledge. As multipliers, they lead workshops in schools and youth centers, where they engage with girls and young women on topics such as equality, boundaries, social pressure, and self-determination. The approach is low-threshold, realistic, and consistently grounded in the experiences of young people.

The jury unanimously selected SHEROES. It comprises representatives from politics, administration, civil society, and business. The project’s preventive approach, as well as the combination of ongoing group work and training to become multipliers, were particularly decisive factors.

The jury highlighted positively that the project not only imparts knowledge but also empowers young women in the long term, enabling them to share their experiences and take action themselves. This sends a clear and important signal for projects that make equality tangible and sustainable in everyday life.

Dr. Inga Halwachs, Municipal Women’s and Equality Officer for the City of Offenbach, contextualizes the project’s significance within the current social climate: “Especially in times of growing anti-feminist trends, projects like SHEROES are needed more than ever. On social media, we are currently seeing how traditional and restrictive role models are romanticized under terms like ‘Tradwives’ and deliberately promoted to young women. At the same time, anti-feminist narratives and hostility toward gender equality policies are once again on the rise. SHEROES counters this: The project creates spaces where young women are encouraged to critically question societal expectations, develop their own perspectives, and empower one another.”

The Sophie von La Roche Prize is endowed with 1,500 euros. It honors individuals, organizations, or projects that are particularly committed to gender equality and social participation.