NGO-UNESCO
Forum on Access to Water for All – Soroptimists give a global voice to women!

At an NGO-
UNESCO Forum on access for water for all, Soroptimists were out in force! Marie-Christine Gries de La
Barbelais, one of SI’s UN Representatives in Paris, was heavily involved in
organising the forum, and members of SI Abidjan Flamboyant (Ivory Coast) were
also involved. With three Soroptimist speakers at the event, and a Soroptimist
project from Tunisia being showcased, SI was able to play a major role in advising
on best practice. All in attendance agreed on the vital importance in investing
in women and girls. Marie-Christine writes about her experiences at the Forum
in this SoroptiVoice blog.

 

Soroptimist
International Unites with other NGOs at the People’s Climate March

Soroptimists
joined with other NGOs to show support for global action against climate change
at the People’s Climate March, days ahead of the UN’s Climate Summit. With
women being disproportionately affected by climate change it is important that
SI continues to advocate on behalf of women. Read more on this story here.

 

Soroptimist International was amongst the 1570 organisations that marched in Manhattan. 

 

Influencing
the Post-2015 Development Agenda at DPI/NGO

A
Soroptimist International delegation is attended the 65th Annual United Nations
Conference for Non-Governmental Organizations this week to push for a Post-2015
development agenda that meets the needs of women and girls. International
President Ann Garvie and Immediate Past President Alice Wells lead the team of
UN Reps and SI of the Americas Federation representatives in New York.
The delegation of Soroptimists were successful in ensuring the needs of women
and girls were addressed in the outcome document. This includes, recognising
the impact the climate change has on women’s access to resources, capabilities
and decision; stating the needs for gender responsive budgeting; and stating that
quality, safe and accessible education for girls and women of all ages must be
available. This outcome document will impact the formulation of the Post-2015 Development
Agenda. Read more about the activities and achievements of Soroptimists here.  

 

 

Soroptimist International Co-Sponsors DPI Workshop on
Mental Health

During DPI NGO, Soroptimist International UN
Representative Angelina Akhvlediani contributed towards a workshop for NGOs.
This event proved popular, with many Soroptimists joining the session.

A main areas of discussion was the importance of addressing women’s
day-to-day mental health problems in the developing world, and not only global
disasters and their impact on women. As part of the workshop, Ambassador for Canada, Guillermo
Rischynski spoke about financing special training programmes for journalists in
Pakistan. Describing the presentation Angelina says, "Assuming that nobody know women’s problems better than women, this program empowers women in Pakistan to speak up about women’s issues and experiences". As
Soroptimists know, these programmes are vital to progress the situation of
women worldwide.

By supporting and contributing to these events, SI UN Representatives are one way that SI is able to give a global voice to women. Government representatives, NGOs and media groups all attended this event to better understand the day-to-day mental health needs of women. 

 

International
Literacy Day: Literacy Critical to the Empowerment of Women

The 8^th
of September marked International Literacy Day. At a UNESCO event, SI UN
Representatives share information and strategies used in different geographical
and cultural situation to help improve literacy rates amongst women and girls.
Soroptimist International of Europe Executive Director, Anne Simon was one of
the speakers at the event. The message is clear – literacy is a critical part
of education and directly contributes to the empowerment of women. Read more on
this International Literacy Day event here.