Soroptimist International provides a global voice for women and girls in over 3,000 communities in 130 countries and territories. Their voices must be included in international negotiations that affect how governments respond to their needs. The advocacy efforts of Soroptimists can make this happen!

It is clear that organisations such as Soroptimist International play a vital role in the achievement of gender equality and the excellent grassroots project work of Soroptimists, in over 3000 communities, contributes to the implementation of development agendas. NGOs gather information and have specific expertise on emerging issues and best practice. This is one of the many reasons why SI has general consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council. By holding general consultative status, SI is able to provide information on best practice and advocate for the needs of women and girls at the UN.

Photo: Members of the Soroptimist International Delegation to CSW58, including International President Ann Garvie (centre).

This year the involvement of NGOs during CSW negotiations is being minimised. Instead of agreeing the outcome document on the last day of CSW59, a political declaration is going to be adopted on the first day. Governments will have already negotiated the document before meeting in New York. This means that the voices of women and girls that SI is able to bring, will not be listened to.

The UN Secretary-General has said that organisations like SI make ‘significant contributions to the shaping of the global policy framework on gender equality and women’s empowerment’. However, now, it appears as if this valuable contribution could be ignored.

To make sure that NGOs are included in negotiations leading up to CSW59, Soroptimist International has created a letter that can be sent to your government. This letter explains why it is so important that stakeholder groups are included in negotiations relevant to improving the status of women and girls. After all, this is what CSW is all about!

To download a copy of the letter click on the image above.

To find out who you can send your letter too, CSW NGO has compiled a Directory of National Mechanisms. You can access that directory here.

Women and girls need to be listened to and included. They are first-hand witnesses to the discrimination they face and they know how to effect the change they need. By participating in this call to advocacy you will be helping to ensure that the needs of women and girls are properly acknowledged and provided for.