SoroptimistInternational, Author at Soroptimist International

SI thanks Michelle Bachelet for inspirational leadership, strength and commitment at UN Women

Soroptimist International has written to outgoing Head of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, to express appreciation for her “strength and commitment to the rights of women and girls” and “exemplary leadership”. “You have inspired our membership across the globe to pursue gender equality at all levels of decision-making and to advocate

Working together for women survivors of conflict – SI & Women for Women International

Dawn Marie Lemonds, formerly Soroptimist International Programme Director and Quadrennial Project Liaison 2003-7, writes about the partnership with Women for Women International (WFWI), an organisation that supports women in war-torn regions with financial and emotional aid, job-skills training, rights education and small business assistance so they can rebuild their lives. Soroptimist International worked with

SI for Sustainability: Experience of a UN Rep in Nairobi

Alice Odingo is one of two SI UN Reps in Nairobi (Kenya), at the UN Environment Programme. In this blog she sets out some of the achievements and challenges that she and colleague Rose Mwangi have experienced. I am Dr. Alice A.O. Odingo, a wife, a mother and a Senior Lecturer in the

#CSW57 Agreed Conclusions – What do they mean for women’s rights?

On Friday, 15th March 2013, at the CSW 57, UN Member States adopted Agreed Conclusions, with reservations, on the priority theme of ‘The Elimination and Prevention of all forms of Violence against Women and Girls’. Last year no outcome document was agreed upon. This strengthened the resolve of the NGO

Making a difference: Soroptimist support for Philippines rape-survivor

Sina Stiffler, one of SI's UN Representatives in Geneva, describes how meeting rape survivor Karen Vertido from the Philippines reminded her of the difference that Soroptimists can make. Two horrible rape cases in India in December 2012 and March 2013 drew the world’s attention to the fact that rape is still treated as

New Soroptimist clubs in Philippines, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Italy

The first three months of 2013 have seen 13 new Soroptimist International clubs established, in Bangladesh, Nigeria and the Philippines. 11 clubs have been chartered in the Philippines, taking the total number of clubs in the country to 84. "I’m truly excited to welcome so many new clubs to our wonderful organization", says

We've taken the first step; now let's move in the right direction #CSW57

Talat Pasha was one of the Soroptimists who attended the UN's Commission on the Status of Women in New York (4-15 March), where the primary theme was the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. In this week's blog, she celebrates the experience of working with Soroptimists from around the world

Soroptimist Alice Odingo elected Global Coordinator for UNEP Women’s Major Group

Dr Alice Odingo, one of Soroptimist International's UN Representatives in Nairobi, has been elected as one of four Global Co-ordinators of the Women's Major Group at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). "A woman’s voice and participation is the catalyst environmentalists need for sustainability", says Dr Odingo. "When I was elected as one

Foundation of the SI Club of Elba, SI Italy

Nominee President Franca Rosso and the founding partners of Soroptimist International Club of the Island of Elba invite you to the Foundation of the 149th Club of the Italian Union. The weekend's events will include tours of the island and entertainment, as well as the Foundation Ceremony. For more information,

New Commonwealth Charter "implacably opposed" to gender-discrimination

On March 11, HM Queen Elizabeth II signed the newly agreed Commonwealth Charter at a reception to mark Commonweath Day, attended by SI Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe. It is the first time one document has been agreed by all 54 member states to enshrine a comprehensive range of principles and

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