Blog - Soroptimist International

COVID-19 and the Rise in Domestic Violence

SI UN Representative in Paris, Marie-Christine Gries, blogs about the rise of Domestic Violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. "On 5 April 2020, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, made a global appeal to UN Member States to recognise that "violence is not confined to battlefields", as he called for the protection

A poignant message of domestic violence

by Sarah Gallardo, Sarah Speaks Up My mind is wandering, feeling concern for those people who will be holed up with their abuser, forced to stay home by this global pandemic. COVID-19 is causing physical isolation from most of the world as we try to control its spread. During this

Dear Diary – Soroptimists share their stories

As the COVID-19 pandemic surges through our countries, our communities, and our lives, Barbara Rochman, and Wanda Price share their thoughts with us, and we are reminded that for today, although we are apart, we stand together, as we face a 'new normal'. Notes from New York City by SI UN Representative

Soroptimists staying connected across the globe

A blog by SI Director Dawn Marie Lemonds Last week Soroptimist International (SI) of Salisbury- a club chartered in the United Kingdom just last year, invited me and to attend its club meeting using the Zoom online platform and what a wonderful experience we had! How fascinating it was to

Victims of Domestic Violence at Greater Risk with Stay at Home Orders

Gina Vucci, author, and women’s human rights activist, based in the U.S., takes a look at the escalating danger of domestic violence - a parallel pandemic taking place behind closed doors. As we received the notice to go on lockdown in the San Francisco Bay Area 16 March, 2020, I

Key Priorities in Education

Blog by Evelyne Para, SI UN Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). "During the working meeting organised on 10 March 2020 at UNESCO, by Marie-Claude Machon-Honore (Chairperson of the Liaison Committee of NGOs in partnership with UNESCO), interesting exchanges allowed several members of Civil Society

THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT IN THE WORLD OF WORK

SI UN Representative in New York, Marie D’Amato-Rizzi, urges Soroptimists to encourage their governments to ratify the International Labour Organisation's 'Convention Concerning the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (C190)'. "On June 21, 2019, delegates at the Centenary International Labour Conference adopted a new Convention and

Gathering Collective Power

A report by Dawn Marie Lemonds, SI Director and participant in Virtual CSW64 Consultation Forum "Its not New York and CSW64 - but it is the TIME! The NGO/CSW Virtual Consultation Day provided a quick, 1.5 hour virtual forum for people to join from their living rooms, offices or coffee

What is the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action?

"To advance the goals of equality, development, and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of all humanity”. (Beijing Declaration, 1995). "In 1995, 189 governments were joined by 17,000 participants and 30,000 non-governmental activists in Beijing for the opening of the Fourth World Conference on Women. For two weeks,

Women and the Environment: Roles, Risks and Rights

Blog by Theresa W. Devasahayam, SI UN Representative for Bangkok. "Each year, the month of March is a crucial time for women’s organisations worldwide as we take stock of the progress women and girls in different parts of the world have made in the last year as well as the