In a message for Human Rights Day on December 10,  International President Ann Garvie has called on Soroptimists worldwide to continue working towards human rights for all, particularly for women and children in areas affected by conflict or natural disaster.

"Too many women and girls around the world are still denied their basic human rights", she writes. "This is particularly true in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters."

President Ann highlights the use of cluster bombs in Syria and their impact on women and children, encouraging Soroptimists to raise awareness of this issue and lobby for a worldwide ban, as well as underlining the particular risks to women in the Philippines following Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. Soroptimists around the world have been supporting a Soroptimist International of the Americas dedicated fund to help SI clubs in the Philippines in their rebuilding efforts. 

The SI President also reflects on the death of Nelson Mandela: "Mandela
became an icon of resistance; but it was his insistence on reconciliation that
showed the world his true spirit and made him a beacon of humanity. He achieved
unity through forgiveness and reconciliation, a goal which every Soroptimist
should emulate."

December 10 is also significant for Soroptimists as the day on which International Presidents launch their annual appeal.  This year, President Ann has chosen to support  projects around the world that educate women about renewable energy and empower and enable opportunities for them, by providing solar lanterns and cookers.

"One quarter of the world’s population do not have reliable access to electricity; 70% of these are women and girls living in developing countries. By financing green solar power and enabling education and life long learning for women and girls, we will help many more women and girls to fulfil their dreams."

Soroptimist International are currently working with the four SI Federations to identify the sites and projects that will benefit from President Ann’s Appeal and conduct needs’ assessments. The sites will be announced early in 2014.

Read President Ann’s full message

Read more about "See Solar, Cook Solar"

 

Image: SI Eldoret (Kenya) project supported by SI Denmark to provide solar chargers, lanterns and cookers, winner of one of SIE’s 2013 Best Practice Awards – more about the Kenya/Denmark solar project.

SI Sweden also have a successful solar project, harnessing the power of the sun to heat and treat water at household level. Read more at www.solvatten.se.

See Solar, Cook Solar – Take Action

Many Soroptimist clubs worldwide are taking action to develop their own understanding and raise awareness of energy poverty and solar power for December 10.

“Lights out” for December 10 – get a taste of what it’s
like for the 2.4 billion people who do not have access to reliable
electricity by committing to go mains-free for a day, an evening, a club
meeting… you could ask for sponsorship or donate the money that you’d
have spent on electricity to the Appeal.

Glen Oeppen, Programme Action Chair at SI Newcastle & District (UK) prepared this excellent See Solar, Cook Solar Advent Calendar for
her club, a way for members to raise funds for the appeal and take
stock of how much we take reliable electricity supply for granted.
Other clubs have adapted this resource to suit their own needs.

SI have prepared a “See Solar, Cook Solar” quiz, which clubs can use as part of a fun quiz evening to test and develop members’ knowledge!  Click here to download some See Solar, Cook Solar Quiz questions and download the answers here (no cheating 🙂 ).

Do let us know what you’re doing for December 10 at SIHQ via the Programme Focus Reporting system and/or email to rosi.jack(a)soroptimistinternational.org.