International Association of Friends of Young Girls
The International Association of Friends of Young Girls was founded in Neuchâtel NE in 1877 . It was worn by middle -class Protestant women. The association fought against the state tolerated and regulated prostitution and campaigned against “immorality” and the “double standards” of civil society in the late 19th century .
Like other moral societies, the girlfriends of young girls played an important role in the first wave of the women's movement , as their moral concerns were paired with concrete improvements in the living conditions of girls and women. Political work was combined with practical engagement for so-called “ fallen girls ”.
The association emerged partly from the International Federation for the Abolition of Prostitution . When it was founded, Marie Humbert-Droz was in charge of the association. In 1886 the Swiss section of “Girlfriends of Young Girls” was founded. The practical work of the FJM consisted of receiving the girls who came to town in search of a job, offering cheap accommodation and arranging employment.
Little by little, local sections emerged in Switzerland, for example in the city of Zurich in 1887, in the canton of Zurich in 1896 and the Association of Friends of Young Girls Solothurn-Olten in 1916. The Basel Section (BFJM) was founded in 1921 and was headed by Mathilde Paravicini until 1954 .
From 1945 the FJM changed its activities and offered, among other things, the placement of au pair positions. Mobility increased and with the SOS Bahnhofhilfe the "friends" offered support with getting on and off the train, accompaniment and help on site. Since 1999 the association has been called the Swiss Association Compagna . The seat is in Zurich.