December 10 is a date with three-fold significance for Soroptimist International:  it is Human Rights Day, it marks the end of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Violence, and it sees the launch of the Soroptimist International President’s Appeal.  This is no coincidence.  In this week’s SoroptiVoice blog, SI Programme Director Reilly Dempsey examines how tackling gender-violence, improving maternal health and increasing access to solar technology are all part of the same struggle towards human rights for all. 

“Human trafficking, Arab Spring, Sex Selection, Domestic Violence, Female
genital mutilation, Honour killing, Maternal health, Rape, Harassment, Girl
child, Malaria/TB/AIDS, Pay Equity, Forced marriage…they
all fall under the umbrella of violence against women"

"We should not look as
these issues in silos. Instead we should look at them all as pieces of the
larger problem which is violence against women. By focusing on the broader
problem we will be ensuring that all forms of violence against women are
brought to the forefront rather than just those forms that are temporally in
the public spotlight.”

Senator Mobina Jaffer, Canada, speaking at Soroptimist International Convention, 2011

We know that
Soroptimists use education, empowerment, and enabling opportunities as tools to
eliminate violence against women, but it’s not just physical violence that we need to tackle. As Senator Mobina Jaffer reminded us at SI Convention in 2011, we
must also address the structural and societal
“violence” that leaves women and girls with less access to resources or
capabilities in all aspects of their lives. 

No matter who you are, it is your human right to be free
to achieve your fullest potential and it is the global community’s
responsibility to ensure you have the tools to do so. As we approach the end of 16 Days of Activism on Gender-Violence and International Day for Human Rights on December 10, I’d like to highlight
three ways that Soroptimists are working to address violence in all its
forms – physical and structural. Learn more, be inspired and get involved. 

Birthing
in the Pacific

This project, the subject of President Alice Well’s December 10 Appeal 2011-13,  uses education, empowerment, and enabling opportunities to
save women’s lives in Papua New Guinea.  More
than 1500 women per year die in PNG due to complications of
pregnancy or childbirth. Birthing in the Pacific aims to save lives by
increasing access to skilled birth attendants and health care services. Soroptimist International works with local partners to apply
international best practice and evidence.

Watch this short film to see how Birthing in Pacific has been making a difference (if you cannot see the film below, click here to view on Youtube):

;

See
Solar, Cook Solar

One quarter of the world’s population do not have reliable access to electricity; 70% of these are women and girls living in developing countries. Energy poverty is a significant barrier to women and girls’ education and empowerment in many parts of the world. 

President Ann Garvie’s Appeal for 2013-15 will increase women and girls’ access to education and
leadership through solar technology.  TheSee Solar, Cook Solar Appeal will support Soroptimist projects all over the
world that educate women about renewable energy and empower and enable
opportunities for them, by providing solar lanterns and cookers. 

The “See Solar, Cook Solar” campaign will
officially launch December 10, 2013. During the initial phase, while the
project sites are finalised, why not raise awareness and understanding of
sustainability, energy poverty and solar energy? Here are some action ideas:

• Organise
  a “See Solar, Cook Solar” quiz evening to test your knowledge!  Click here to download some See Solar, Cook
  Solar Quiz questions.  Get the answers
  here. 
• “Lights
  out” for December 10 – get a taste of what it’s like for the 2.4 billion people
  who do not have access to reliable electricity by committing to go mains-free
  for a day, an evening, a club meeting… you could ask for sponsorship or donate
  the money that you’d have spent on electricity to the Appeal.  
• Glen
  Oeppen, Programme Action Chair at SI Newcastle & District (UK) prepared
  this excellent See Solar, Cook Solar Advent Calendar for her club, a way for
  members to raise funds for the appeal and take stock of how much we take reliable
  electricity supply for granted. Thanks to Glen for allowing us to share this –
  any SI clubs are welcome to use this or adapt the idea to suit their members

Global
Impact Report 2012-2013

This year, SI have produced
our annual impact report online in a digital format; we believe that you will
find it easier to access, navigate and find the information that you
need.  In 127 countries and over 3,000
communities worldwide, the global Soroptimist movement has positively impacted
the lives of millions of women and girls. 
Read all about this impact, how it was achieved, and the success stories
behind it all.  This year’s report found
that:

• Research
  concludes that education and empowerment are two of the best possible tools to
  prevent gender-based violence.  All over
  the world, in locations with different cultures, economies, politics, and
  religions, one key intervention is working to address violence against women
  and girls: education.
• SI
  evidence shows that small scale projects, together, can have huge scale impact
  improving the lives of women and girls.
• Nearly
  110,000 women and girls were educated, empowered, and enabled through
  Soroptimist projects in 2012.
• SI was
  invited to present our policy recommendations to 193 government officials on 10
  occasions.
• SI’s
  language around femicide was included in the UN Resolution adopted at the 57th
  Commission on the Status of Women.
•  Six
  case studies show how Soroptimists are using education, empowerment and enabling opportunities to address violence
  against women and girls. 
• 39 projects
  of excellence are featured, showing how Soroptimists are using education, empowerment and enabling opportunities for
  women and girls across the life course. 

As President Alice Wells (2011-13) said in her message for last year’s Human Rights Day:

"Women are still deprived of their human rights in so many places: denied an education, safe childbirth, a life free of violence .  SI continues to fight for human rights for all at grassroots, national and international level. We are stronger if we work together – with one voice we can feel powerless but as 90,000 voices, we can make a difference."