b'Soroptimist InternationalReport for the High-Level Political ForumMasks for EqualityTheworkoforganisationslikeSoroptimiststepped into action, sewing masks, surgical caps and International that contributed to combating theslippers,gownsandmore.ThesePPEprovision spread of COVID-19, supports the achievementprojectsquicklygrewand adaptedto community ofSDG3onhealthandwellbeing,SDG8onneed, with Soroptimists finding other ways to help decentwork,SDG12onresponsibleincludingfooddelivery,providingpsychosocial consumptionandproduction,andbecauseofsupport, calling on isolated vulnerable members of thecommunityandotherinnovativewaysto evidence that women frontline workers had lesssupporttheshortageofsuppliesandservices accesstoPPEthantheirmalecounterparts,created because of COVID 19. Everyone found ways SDG5 on gender equality.toacquiresupplies,sew,anddistribute,without ever meeting in person.Hundreds of thousands of InMarch2020,muchoftheworldentereditemsweremadeanddistributedtofrontline lockdowns,andestablishedprojectsbecameworkersandotherunprotectedandvulnerable disrupted. New ways of working had to be found,people. This was in the early days of the pandemic, and project leaders and participants often neededduringatimewhenmanyclaimedmaskswere accesstopersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)ineffective and should not be used.which was in short supply. SIs global membership Uniting a Global Movement During the COVID-19 PandemicBy providing training to empower Soroptimists, thisSincestartingthisprogrammeofwebinars, webinar series supported SDG3 on health, SDG4 onapproximately3,000peoplehaveattendedand education,SDG5ongenderequality,SDG10onmanythousandsmorehaveviewedthedigital reduced inequalities, SDG16 on peace, justice andrecordings,ensuringnomatterwhichtimezone strong institutions, and SDG17 on partnerships for sustainable development.theyliveintheyhaveaccesstothesame information and advocacy support.With over70,000membersglobally,theRoad to Equality Appeal sought to unite these members and tospreadawarenessandknowledge.Through webinarsand campaigns,expertsandthosewith lived experiences were able to show the impact and importancekeygenderequalityissues,including FGM,child,earlyandforcedmarriage,domestic violence and others. As the pandemic made other forms of meetings and collaborations difficult, thesewebinarshelpedbuildskillsforwomentobeThewebinarseriestriggeredconversationsabout advocates at the community, national and regionaltheissuesand manyprojectsweredeveloped or levels. The webinars also included orientations forsupportedasaresult.Sinceinitiatingthis key UN commissions to increase understanding onprogramme of webinars, Soroptimist International globaladvocacyandtoencourageactionontheclubsacrossallregionsarecreatingtheirown international stage. awarenessraisingwebinarswhichfocusonlocal issues.7'