Global Impact Committee (GIC) Overview

The Global Impact Committee (GIC) enhances Soroptimist International’s (SI) global presence by collaborating with the five Federations. The GIC develops, coordinates, and promotes SI’s Impact campaigns aligned with its Vision, Mission, and Objectives. It serves as a link between SI and the Federations, sharing best practices, coordinating SI’s participation in UN events, and organising the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

In 2023, the GIC met at least four times, for the first time including a second representative from each Federation under 40 years of age. These young members brought valuable perspectives to the meetings.

Key Activities in 2023

• GIC Meetings: The GIC met four times, including a new group of younger representatives for diverse perspectives.
• UN International Days: SI used these days for education and celebration, with webinars and videos on various themes including education, environment, and youth.
• 16 Days of Activism: From November 24 to December 10, SI highlighted violence against women through global events and social media campaigns.
• 67th Session of UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67): Held from 6 to 17 March 2023, with a hybrid format. SI hosted several parallel events focusing on innovation, technology, and rural women, and prepared delegates with training and resources.
• Commonwealth Engagement: SI’s representative, Pat Dale, attended meetings in London, and President Maureen participated in the 13th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in The Bahamas, addressing impacts from COVID-19 on gender equality.
• Every Woman Treaty: SI collaborated with EWT to develop a Treaty to End Violence Against Women, promoted at the Dublin Convention in July 2023. Facing challenges, SI and EWT focused on advocating for an Optional Protocol to CEDAW in Geneva.

Outcomes of Joint Working

Webinars:

• 24 January 2023: International Day of Education – ‘Prioritising Education: Empowering Women and Girls’
• 5 June 2023: World Environment Day – ‘Joining Forces to Beat Plastic Pollution’
• 28 October 2023: SI Youth Forum – ‘Green Horizons’

Videos:

• 8 September 2023: International Day of Literacy – sharing of Federation Projects
• 11 October 2023: International Day of the Girl Child – sharing of Federation Projects

These materials can be viewed on the SI website, with some presentations also available for viewing.

67th Session of UN Commission on the Status of Women – SI Parallel Events at CSW67

Under the themes of innovation, technological change, and education in the digital age, SI hosted several parallel events showcasing ‘Best Practice Projects’ from the five Federations and SI projects. These presentations highlighted successful strategies addressing women’s and girls’ issues within communities.

Key events included:

• 6 March 2023: ‘Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment through Innovation, Technology and Education’
• 7 March 2023: ‘Opening Doors to Bright Future: Educating, Enabling and Empowering Rural Women’
• 10 March 2023: In collaboration with Taiwan Coalition Against Violence (TCAV), ‘Survivor Voices – Public-Private Partnerships to Support Victims of Stalking in the Digital Age’
• 14 March 2023: With Women for Water Partnership (WfWP), ‘Technology, Water and Women’
• 15 March 2023: In partnership with Zonta International, ‘Leadership-Violence Against Women’
• 16 March 2023: With Global Alliance on the Rights of Older People, ‘Strengthening the Rights of Older People in Rural Areas’

Socially, SI delegates connected with old friends and made new ones. They joined the SI New York City Club’s 100th Anniversary celebration on 7 March at the Cornell Club in Manhattan, followed by a SI reception.

Read the Global Impact segment of the Annual Report 2023 in full

Watch the presentation on Global Impact from the AGM held on 13 July 2024