SI UN
Representative, Martina Gredler, is in Doha at the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice advocating for
the inclusion of women and girls, and NGOs and civil society in the development
and implementation of policies that protect victims.

 

On the 16
April 2015, Martina was a panelist at a workshop entitled, ‘Public contribution to
crime prevention and raising awareness of criminal justice: experiences and
lessons learned’. This workshop was a significant opportunity to advise
government representatives about programmes and projects that really work, and
produce lasting effects. As an SI UN Representative, Martina spoke alongside
other major international organisations, such as Médecins sans Frontières.

Photo: SI UN Representative Martina Gredler speaking at the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, live on UN web TV.

“By
attending the Congress, SI has been able to make sure that our recommendations
will be integrated into the recommendations that NGOs will be presenting to
governments”, reports Martina. “People were impressed by the variety of
activities that SI does, the modern approach that we take, and our worldwide
acting! The presentation reflected that very well. We can be a role model
organisation and we can make development work for women and girls. It is
important that clubs know that their project work can end up in the actions and
papers of the United Nations.”

The presentation highlighted key Soroptimist projects in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice from across the globe and was shown live on UN web TV. To watch the panel that Martina participated on, please click here. 

 

Click on the image above to download a copy of Martina’s presentation about SI projects on improving women’s access to criminal justice, and providing services to victims of crime. 

Close to 70
NGOs and CSOs are attending the 13^th UN Congress on Crime Prevention
and Criminal Justice in Doha. This is the biggest Congress in its history, with
two and a half more attendees than ever before. This could be a sign that
governments are more willing to involve NGOs and civil society in discussions
on issues such as human trafficking, femicide, organ smuggling and environmental
crime.

“The General
Impression is that for the first time at a crime congress, NGO´s are given such
an important role in the main program of the congress”,  UN Rep Martina
explains. “Having three days of consultations with the distinguished
representatives of all present countries is underlining the increasing
importance of our work. Not only that generally we do it better, more efficiently
and cheaper, but our projects are tailored for the communities at the
grassroots of crime prevention and protection. Doha is the proof that lots
of states have realized this – it is a big step forward!”

Photo: SI UN Representative Martina Gredler (right) with the President of the Commission of Crime and Criminal Justice (left) who is also the Ambassador of the Mission of Mexico at the UN in Vienna during a preparation meeting.