Senior decision makers of Soroptimist International, a
global movement linking women across the world which seeks to transform the
lives of women and girls through service, met this week in Cambridge, England.
The Board members, drawn from across all continents to represent the four
Federations who are members of Soroptimist International, made the momentous
decision to apply for charitable status.
Soroptimist International President Alice Wells, who hails
from Phoenix, Arizona, USA, said: ‘This has been a historic week for our
movement. We believe that by becoming a
charity registered in England and Wales we will be better able to deliver our
vision which is a firm commitment to a world where women and girls
together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations
and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.’
The Soroptimist Board reviewed the aims and activities promoted by
Soroptimist International including the service, outreach, and advocacy work of
volunteers during the past year, and particularly ‘Birthing in the Pacific’, a programme
working towards reducing maternity mortality in Papua New Guinea. Over the course of several years, local
Soroptimists with partner organisations will provide much needed skills and
supplies to village birth attendants, community health workers, and
clinicians. The programme includes
hands-on training, improvement of facilities, and exchange programmes for
practicing midwives. By the close of the
project, close to 350 health providers will have received some form of training
in maternal care. PNG is a
developing country where over 1000 births occur each month, and of which, 7 of
the birthing mothers will die. The country has the second worst maternal and
infant mortality rate in Asia
and although 88-98% of these deaths are preventable, 40% of rural clinics have
closed. A worldwide appeal led by the
International President has so far raised $151,000 (Aus) of the
$300,000 total target.
Soroptimist International is a worldwide movement for women, which links
some 90,000 local Club members in 126 countries of the world. Soroptimists are
women who believe in upholding human rights, improving the status of women and
girls and are working together under the theme of ‘educate to lead’ through the
delivery of thousands of different service projects across the globe.
More
information can be found at www.soroptimistinternational.org
For further information please contact: Anna McCormick,
Programme Manager (anna.mccormick@soroptimistinternational.org).