Blog - Soroptimist International

Addressing Poverty – High Level Political Forum 2018

A blog by SI UN Representative Bette Levy. "I attended two side events regarding poverty. While the approaches were very different the bottom line of both was unless we eradicate ‘relative poverty’ we would be leaving the most marginalized behind especially women and girls. The statistics speak for themselves. 80%

Frances Zainoeddin, SI UN Representative, New York reviews the HLPF 2018

A blog by Frances Zainoeddin, SI UN Representative, New York "The 2018 High Level Political Forum, tasked with follow-up and review of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Development, was held from 9 to 18 July 2018. The first week was filled with panel discussions, addressing the theme “Transformation towards

The 10th Water Business Forum Singapore

A Report from the 10th Water Business Forum, held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Singapore, 11 July 2018 by Dr. Theresa Devasahayam, Secretary, Soroptimist International of Singapore (SIS). Women and Water: Pressing for Gender Equality "There is no doubt that water is essential for life, as much as

Reflecting on the 2018 High Level Political Forum Part Two by Bette Levy

"New this year at the HLPF was the open discussions regarding Menstrual Hygiene, not just the usual conversations or key issues related to water and sanitation issues (Goal 6) but the specific issue of menstruation for women and girls. The serious issues and risks to health, safety, gender equality, access

Reflecting on the 2018 High Level Political Forum Part One by Bette Levy

Side Events that brought new open discussions to the UN by SI UN Representative Bette Levy "If you have been following the Agenda 2030 as long as I have (since Rio + 20 in 2012), it’s easy to be frustrated or disappointed about the lack of progress and to be

A Soroptimist reports on the AIDS 2018 Conference

Gender inequality gives a higher risk of HIV infection for women A blog by Mary Muia, Kenyan Soroptimist of Karen Blixen club of Nairobi, health professional and SIFAF Task Force Chair (2018-2020) Last week, I was privileged to join thousands of delegates from all over the world to attend the

Modern Slavery

How much do we know about it - What can we do to combat the problem A blog by Dr. J Kay Richmond, Chairman of the UK Programme Action Committee Despite international concern and action to combat this modern scourge, the ILO estimated, in 2016, that there are 40.3 million

July 30 World Day against Trafficking in Persons

Soroptimists respond A blog by Pat Black, SI Statements Advisor "Many years ago (too many for me to remember but probably almost 20) I attended a Soroptimist Convention at which a young woman spoke about the horrors of trading in human lives, how little was known about it and how

Plastics and the HLPF 2018

A blog by Janet Hall Schempf SI Anchorage on Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA "The United Nation’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is meeting this month to discuss progress towards Sustainable Development Goals. Over the course of the two-week meeting, the topic of 'plastics' is considered from many angles,

The Global Compact to Promote Safe and Orderly Migration is Finalised

A blog by Linda Witong, SI Special Advisor to Advocacy "On July 13, we were able to participate in a historic moment. On that date, more than 190 countries agreed on a Global Compact to Promote Safe and Orderly Migration culminating lengthy and often contentious negotiations after more than a