Blog - Soroptimist International

Addressing the “new normal” in education

Blog by Marie-Christine Gries, SI UN Representative in Paris. "Facing the COVID crisis at school, UNESCO has launched the Global Education Coalition to support countries in scaling up their best distance learning practices and reaching children and youth who are most at risk. Never before have we witnessed educational disruption

World Food Day: Our Actions are Our Future

Following the announcement that the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) on account of its efforts to combat hunger and improve conditions for peace, SI UN Representative, Liliana Mosca, blogs about the theme for this year's World Food Day: 'Grow,

Keeping Girls in the Picture on International Day of the Girl

Blog by Evelyne Para, SI UN Representative at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Every year, all over the world, we celebrate International Day of the Girl in accordance with Resolution 66/170 adopted in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly. This day, 11 October, is an opportunity

Trafficking and The Girl Child

As part of Soroptimist International’s (SI’s) series of blogs discussing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), SI United Nations (UN) Representative, Jacqueline Shapiro, examines the topic of the girl child, recalling the work by activists to insure the girl child was included in the BPfA, and that ensuring

Digital technology and Social Change

SI UN Representative, Maria Fornella-Oehninger, brings us the next in a series of blogs relating to the Beijing Platform for Action as she discusses the emerging theme of 'gender equality and the implications of the digital revolution'. "There is no aspect of social, economic, or political development that has escaped

International Day of Peace

“21 September marks the international day of peace. This year's theme is 'Shaping Peace Together’. Earlier this year, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterrez, called for a global ceasefire, encouraging Member States to silence the guns and focus efforts on fighting the pandemic. Whilst this speech was well-received by all, it

Women & the Economy

By Assistant Director Advocacy, Ulla Madsen Taken as a starting point in the “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action” (1995), “women and economy” was highlighted as one of the 12 critical areas. The 189 governments that signed the document, committed themselves to undertaking concrete action to address specific objectives towards enhancing

Literacy teaching and learning in 2020

Blog of Evelyne Para, SI UN Representative at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). "In the midst of the global COVID-19 crisis, International Literacy Day celebrated on September 8, was an opportunity to recall the crucial importance of literacy for the greatest number of people, leaving no

The Intent and Importance of the Istanbul Convention

Blog by Berthe De Vos, SI UN Representative Geneva. "All forms of violence are a clear violation of our human right. Whether we speak of crimes against women or domestic violence, prior to 2014, no European framework had set the necessary legal standards. But the need remains, as one out

Progress On Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools

by Linda Witong, Special Advisor to Advocacy. In 2010 and 2017 the UN General Assembly adopted A/RES/64/292 and A/RES 72/178 in which it recognised the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human