Blog - Soroptimist International

Cultural Visibility vs Political Rights

SI UN Representative in New York, Bette Levy SI UN Representative in New York, Bette Levy, blogs about her biggest take-away from the ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) held in New York this July. "If you, like me, eagerly followed the postings on Facebook of the many members who attended

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Tuesday, 30 July is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Special Advisor to SI Advocacy, Linda Witong, blogs about the need for the international community to accelerate efforts to end Human Trafficking. "UN Secretary General António Guterres has observed that: “Trafficking in persons is a vile crime that feeds on

An Inside view of the 2019 ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum

SI UN Representative, Bette Levy, introduces insights from the SI UN Team in New York, following their attendance at the 2019 ECOSOC High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the Ministerial High-Level Segment (HLS). "The theme this year was 'Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality' and the goals reviewed were as

Education is a Human Right.

Special Advisor to SI Advocacy, Linda Witong, blogs about the content of the Human Rights Council's latest resolution on Education. "On July 11, 2019, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a Resolution which again addressed the human right to education. It acknowledged that, although the human right of everyone to

Is Private Education Impacting the Right to Free Quality Education?

Special Advisor to SI Advocacy, Linda Witong summarises the report 'Right to education: the implementation of the right to education and Sustainable Development Goal 4 in the context of the growth of private actors in education', from the Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur. "The Special Rapporteur on the Right to

Families in a Changing World

Special Advisor to SI Advocacy, Linda Witong, reviews the recent UN Women report, 'Progress of the World's Women 2019-2020: Families in a Changing World'. "It has been observed that the world is rapidly changing and families and the role of women and girls within them, are not immune to these

UN 2019 Sustainable Development Goals Report

Special Advisor to SI Advocacy, Linda Witong summarises and discusses the findings of the UN 2019 Sustainable Development Goals Report: “The coming years will be a vital period to save the planet and to achieve sustainable, inclusive human development."(1) António GUTERRES Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN 2019 Sustainable Development

A Walk on the Wild Side – SI 21st Convention 2019

As Soroptimists descend on Kuala Lumpur, the largest city in Malaysia, this young vibrant city prepares to play host to the 21st Soroptimist International Convention 2019. Cutting edge, futuristic architecture, rests side-by-side with a dreamlike mix of iconic structures and the KL Convention Centre, home to a long weekend of

A review of the ‘Little Data Book on Gender, 2019’

Special Advisor to SI Advocacy, Linda Witong, reviews the The World Bank Group's 'Little Data Book on Gender, 2019'. "Gender equality plays an important role in sustainable development by improving living standards, reducing poverty and building resilience. But in order to make any progress, regarding any of these goals we

Findings from the ‘World Drug Report: Women and Drugs’.

Special Advisor to SI Advocacy, Linda Witong, provides insight into the 'World Drug Report: Women and Drugs' from the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Both the range of drugs and drug markets are expanding and diversifying as never before. The findings of this year’s World Drug Report: