Blog - Soroptimist International

How has COVID-19 impacted the goal of achieving zero poverty?

In 1995, the Beijing Platform for Action highlighted 12 critical areas where urgent action was needed to ensure greater gender equality. As the second instalment in our series of blogs examining this landmark document, SI Advisor to Advocacy, Pat Black questions if COVID -19 has quashed the world's chances of

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter

A blog by SI UN Representative Designate, Jacqueline Shapiro "26 June 1945, is recognised as one of the most significant dates in modern history. Following months of negotiations, representatives from 50 countries signed the Charter of the United Nations. The United Nations (UN) represents the 'best' aspirations of all the

There’s Power in Partnership

Soroptimist International works closely with many organisations to educate, empower and enable women and girls everywhere. In this latest blog, Marie-Christine Gries, SI Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and guest blogger, Martine Levy, representative of the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts (WAGGGS)

Build back better, build back greener – Act#ForNature

A Blog by Mary Muia, SI UN Representative Nairobi Centre. The 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), is to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in February 2021 with the theme ‘Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals’. As part of the preparations for UNEA-5, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UNEA Presidency,

Launch of UN Human Rights Report 2019

A blog by Pat Black Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, invited Non-Governmental Organisations to join her for the virtual launch from Geneva of the UN Human Rights Report 2019 at the beginning of June. Ms. Bachelet outlined the work of the Human Rights Commission staff which

COVID-19 AND FOOD SECURITY: THE CASE OF AFRICA

SI Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Liliana Mosca, reports on the impact of COVID-19 on food security across Africa. "On June 9, in a message at the lunch of a policy brief on food security[1], UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, warned about

“FEEDING THE FORGOTTEN”: ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 2 IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

A blog by Dr Theresa Devasahayam, SI UN Representative for Bangkok Food is intrinsic for survival and is a fundamental human right. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 posits that by 2030, it is aimed that hunger and malnutrition will be eradicated. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, this goal may never materialise. While

Beijing+25: Women and the Environment

As the first in our series of blogs relating to the twelve critical areas of concern outlined in the Beijing Platform for Action, Janet Hall Schempf, Environmental Impact Analyst, Habitat Biologist, and SIA Member, examines the impact of environmental changes on progress towards gender equality in today's world. Janet Hall

Water, Sanitation, and Climate Action

Blog by SI Advocacy Advisor, Pat Black, following her virtual attendance at the UN High-Level Panel, 'Accelerating Implementation of the 2030 Agenda through Water, Sanitation and Climate Action', co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Canada, Finland, Hungary, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Tajikistan and the Department of Economic and Social

The SDGs: Where do Southeast Asian Women and Girls Stand?

As the world prepares to review the Sustainable Development Goals at the High-Level Political Forum in New York next month, SI's UN Representative in Bangkok, Theresa Devasahayam, reflects on the findings of the 3rd South-East Asia Forum on Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals held last October at the United