Soroptimist International is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.

Hanne Jensbo

Dear Soroptimists, dear Friends,

When reading the media of today it is clear that the work of Soroptimists will never be unnecessary.

We all know the 8 Millennium Goals set up by United Nations with a collective vision for the future: a world with less poverty, hunger and disease, greater survival prospects for mothers and their infants, education for all, equal opportunities for women, an improved physical environment and a partnership between developed and developing countries to achieve these objectives.

More than half the period to the target date has now passed and each day we read that the time-bound targets are not reached.

Recently SI encouraged all members to sign the FAO petition “END HUNGER” and join the campaign to put pressure on politicians to end hunger. Sign this petition to add your voice to the others who say: ”1.000.000.000 people live in chronic hunger and I’m mad as hell!”

Click here: www.1billionhungry.org.

SI also encourages members to add their names to the UNIFEM petition for PEACE and ask their governments to support three steps to implement Security Council Resolution 1325:

• Prosecute those who command and/or commit sexual violence

• Ensure that women participate in peace negotiations

• Increase the number of women in troops, police forces and civilians within international peacekeeping efforts.

Click here: www.saynotoviolence.org/make-women-count-for-peace.

Soroptimists are very good at making awareness and advocacy, so let us join those petitions and encourage our friends and colleagues to do the same. Only when we have a united voice can we be heard in the outside world.

Please start CLICKING TODAY!

In friendship

Hanne Jensbo
International President 2009-2011

Click the cover picture to read TIS magazine

Raising AWARENESS about Soroptimist International - TIS

(The International Soroptimist)

We do hope that you enjoyed the March issue of our new digital TIS – The International Soroptimist. We were delighted to receive so many positive comments from Soroptimists in 84 countries who have read the magazine so far– thank you for sharing them with us!

“The TIS magazine is absolutely the Best for Women! I have a “copy” now at my fingertips anytime. So glad that I can forward a copy to anyone anywhere! Thanks to the entire Soroptimist organization for becoming hi-tech!” Vivian Walczesky, SI of Monroe County (Michigan)

“The TIS on the internet was marvellous! … it has been exciting to hear news from clubs all over the world and to realize how much our organization contributes. While I relay news to my club, having it in writing at their fingertips is far more lasting.” Pennie Davies, SIA Sacramento South

If you wish to download the magazine to print off and share with friends, click here for:

• TIS June 2010 English version (pdf)
• TIS June 2010 French version (pdf)

You can also receive your own quarterly copy of TIS direct to your inbox free of charge by e-mailing editor@soroptimistinternational.org.

Remember to look out for upcoming issues in September and December!

If you missed the first March issue, click here for the digital and pdf versions.

Soroptimists take ACTION!

Long-term project update:

We are almost ready to tally your votes and announce a topic for the new long term project! This is an exciting time for SI as we move into another quadrennium of raising awareness, being advocates, and undertaking actions which improve the status of women and girls around the world.

The voting process was a wonderful opportunity for your programme team to learn all about your questions and listen to your comments and ideas for the new long term project. We have collated these into your first ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document: ‘FAQs 1: The basics’. We will release more FAQs in time as we come closer to the official launch next summer.

• Click here to read all the basics about the new project
• Click here to see the topic papers in all languages

Soroptimists ADVOCATE for women’s rights

UN Women Born:

Civil Society Celebrates Creation of Gender Equality Entity After Four Years of Advocacy

In an historic move, the United Nations General Assembly voted unanimously to create a new entity to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide. Soroptimist International has been a long-time supporter of The Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) Campaign to establish this organisation.

The establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — to be known as UN Women — is a result of years of negotiations between UN Member States and advocacy by the global women’s movement. It is part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact.

“I am grateful to Member States for having taken this major step forward for the world’s women and girls,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a statement welcoming the decision. “UN Women will significantly boost UN efforts to promote gender equality, expand opportunity, and tackle discrimination around the globe.”

UN Women merges and will build on the important work of previously distinct parts of the UN system which focus exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Click here to go to the UN Women website: http://www.unwomen.org/.

You can also sign up for gender equality news feeds here: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/ungen/.

Stop the Traffik’ Global Coalition

Soroptimist International joins the ‘Stop the Traffik’ Global Coalition.

Find out how you can help…

SI Programme Blog

Click here for latest news and postings

International relations

General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council, United Nations (ECOSOC); Operational Relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Special List of the International Labour Organization (ILO); Official Relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), Official Relations with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Consultative Status with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Accredited to the Commonwealth as a Civil Society Organization.