Blog - Soroptimist International

International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day is 8 September and this year focuses on 'Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond', highlighting literacy learning from a lifelong learning perspective. Here, we review this topic beginning with two excellent recent articles written by SI UN Representative, Paris, Evelyne Para. 1. A

Young woman wearing a medical mask. This is the cover image of the ILO survey report 'Youth and COVID-19'.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on young adults

Blog by Berthe De Vos, SI United Nations (UN) Representative in Geneva. "The global survey 'Youth & COVID-19: Impacts on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being' carried out this year (April-May 2020), orchestrated by the Youth team in the Employment, Labour Markets and Youth Branch of the International Labor Office

Women and Armed Conflict

As part of Soroptimist International's (SI's) series of blogs discussing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), SI UN Representative, Liliana Mosca, examines the topic of women and armed conflict, looking at both the legal framework that has developed in the years since the BPfA and the lived reality

Sustainable Cities and COVID-19: Plans for Action

"Last month, Soroptimist International participated in the High-Level Political Forum Parallel Dialogue ‘Sustainable Cities and COVID-19: Plans for Action’, which was organised by the Urban Cluster (NGO Major Group). This event was orchestrated to facilitate a lively dialogue focussing on how the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Older Women on the SI Road to Equality

Frances Zainoeddin, SI UN Representative in New York asks: At what age is a woman no longer economically viable? At what age is a woman considered of no consequence and of no value? At what age should a woman not receive education and training? At what age should a woman

Emerging Human Trafficking Trends in the face of COVID-19

A report by Linda Witong, Special Advisor to SI advocacy “As we have continued our work during the COVID-19 pandemic, traffickers have continued as well. Traffickers did not shut down. They continue to harm people, finding ways to innovate and even capitalise on the chaos. The ratio between risk and

THE UNITED NATIONS POLICY BRIEF ON OLDER PERSONS AND COVID-19

The SI President’s Appeal for 2019-2021- ‘The Road to Equality’, inter alia focuses on older women. It was felt necessary to include this theme as a part of the Appeal, to ensure that the lifelong efforts to empower women and girls, are not wasted as in later life, a time

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

30 July is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. SI UN Representative, Jacqueline Shapiro reflects on the impact that COVID-19 is having on the urgent issue of human trafficking. "With the primary attention of countries and communities everywhere focused on containing the health and economic crises of the COVID-19 pandemic,

Transformative Pathways to a Sustainable Future

Maria Fornella-Oehninger, SI UN Representative in New York, blogs about the International Science Council's High-level Political Forum Side Event, 'Designing and implementing integrated, context-sensitive and attainable pathways toward achieving transformation'. "Six scientists shared their analysis of how to create pathways to transform economies and societies to achieve sustainability in the

The High-Level Political Forum 2020: a whimper or a bang?

SI UN Representative, Frances Zainoeddin provides a candid review of the 2020 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. "The High-Level Political Forum met virtually (because of the COVID-19 pandemic) from 7 to 16 July 2020, to review the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. There was a lot of preparation