Our Voice at the UN Leadership Series

Fulfilling the mission and aims of Soroptimist International, the role that our representatives play at the international offices of the United Nations is critical to ensuring that the voices, perspectives, and experiences of women and girls are accounted for in all decision-making processes on the global stage. As an organisation advocating for the rights of women and girls everywhere, we recognise the immense value and significance that collaborating with these representatives can bring to sustainable development and the fight for gender equality.

The unique position that SI holds at the United Nations is an achievement worth being proud of. It grants us the opportunity to embrace this esteemed international platform and speak up for gender equality and the rights of women and girls; however, this privilege would not be possible to maintain without the unwavering commitment and contributions of our UN representatives.

This issue of Our Voice at the UN constitutes the second instalment of an ongoing series, through which we look to celebrate the exception leadership roles and achievements of our SI UN Representatives. Where last time we looked to at the leadership roles of our representatives at UNHQ in New York, this issue turns to Geneva, Switzerland, where there a number of UN entities are situated – including: the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and many more.

 

SI Leadership in Geneva

The United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) is an international hub which brings together individuals, organisations, and nations where they can work and collaborate to ensure a better future for all. This diplomatic centre has a near-universal representation of states and, as such, has operated as an ideal location for successful international cooperation. In 2022, around 8000 meetings were held at the Palais des Nations, where those participating have worked to fulfil commitments to maintaining international peace and security, as well as increasing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals of promoting human rights, gender equality, and the end of poverty.

Representing SI at these offices are three key individuals whose own commitment to gender equality has been well established and well recognised, both in UN spheres and across SI as an organisation; these representatives are Berthe De Vos-Neven, Donatella Benjamin and Stacy Ciulik. In this issue of Our Voice at the UN, we hear from Berthe and Donatella about their leadership roles and experiences at the UN in Geneva, as well as how these roles complement the mission and goals of SI.

 

Berthe De Vos-Neven

Our Main Representative and centre contact at UN Geneva, Berthe De Vos-Neven, has been an active and involved member of SI for over 10 years. During this time, Berthe has maintained a key presence at UN events, delivering statements and reporting on discussions from a variety of UN commissions, conventions and committees relevant to the work of SI; this has notably included the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), as well as important UN days throughout the year, such as World Humanitarian Day, the International Day of the Girl Child, International Women’s Day.

In particular, Berthe’s unique leadership position, and active role as the Vice President of NGO CSW Geneva, opens up a range of opportunities to further share and realise the mission and goals of SI, whilst also making an important contribution to the internal operations within UNOG.

As a distinct entity within the UN, the purpose of NGO CSW Geneva is to act as a strategic platform for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), particularly women’s organisations, engaged with the UN in their advocacy and commitments to building a ‘global moment for the defence of women’s rights and the promotion of gender equality.’

Considering the notable alignment of SI’s mission and values with those of NGO CSW Geneva, Berthe’s position of leadership here allows for a more comprehensive involvement of SI across UNOG activities. The scope that this role provides for networking and collaboration with other NGOs also promotes a greater depth of understanding around the activities of other NGOs, meaning the overall impact of our UN Representatives can be scaled up further by identifying and aligning with similar organisations, to promote of gender equality in all documents, statements, and policymaking decisions.

In her roles at UNOG, Berthe has achieved much that we as an organisation can be proud of and has contributed significantly to the involvement of SI at this centre. Looking ahead, however, Berthe has noted that there is plenty yet to still be accomplished in order to further advance SI’s agenda at the UN. For instance, although Berthe, Donatella, and Stacy have made significant progress spreading awareness around the issues faced by women and girls, Berthe has suggested enlarging this small team to better ensure SI’s presence and the impact we are making at UNOG is recognised and acknowledged. Furthermore, on raising awareness of the importance of SI’s vision, Berthe calls for a greater involvement of young women at the UN – fostering a greater sense of connection between generations and securing the future of all women and girls.

 

Donatella Benjamin

Also part of the team representing SI at UNOG, Dontatella Benjamin holds the position of Treasurer on the same committee as Berthe, for NGO CSW Geneva; for Donatella, this role involves managing the platform’s financial accounts, including their budget and bank accounts, alongside her participation in executive committee meetings and forming links with Geneva authorities. Additionally, this year, Donatella holds the position of co-chair for the UN’s International Day of Older Persons (1 October) event which is being held in Geneva and is being organised by the NGO Committee on Ageing. Importantly, Donatella’s active participation in both of these committees, alongside her role as an SI representative, is particularly useful for furthering the mission of SI – where these positions allow for a broad access to an extended amount of information on UN activities, whilst also offering scope to facilitate friendly exchanges and networking with NGOs who share similar interests to SI.

As Donatella has noted: ‘A SI UN representative is stronger when she is part of large networks; she has a better reach to Missions, Ambassadors and UN officials who, in turn, can support SI events and statements.’

Throughout Donatella’s 30-year run as an active member of SI, working together with other NGOs and groups has allowed her to create personal, strong links with other representatives whose aim is also to promote the rights of women, in particular older women; Donatella has found these leadership roles have multiplied the opportunities available to speak about SI’s international advocacy work, as well as our Federations’ projects and actions at a local level.

One key experience which has stood out to Donatella, as one of her most rewarding memories whilst working as an SI UN representative, has been her involvement in last year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. In 2022, Donatella’s knowledge and experience was drawn upon as she was invited to speak to Mission representatives, UN entities and staff about the SI Europe Federation campaign ‘Read the Signs of a Toxic Relationship’, which launched shortly before the 16 Days and associated ‘Orange the World’ campaigns to end femicide. These campaigns resulted in a highly visual and engaging acts of advocacy, where Soroptimist posters and our logo were visible all around the UNOG buildings, sending a very clear message on SI’s stance and support for ending violence against women and girls.

 

A Look Ahead – Soroptimist International Dublin Convention

Hearing from our representatives at UN Centres across the world is always an enlightening and engaging opportunity, as it allows us to better understand the exceptional work they do whilst sharing and implementing the mission and values of SI. The commitment and dedication of our representatives at UNOG, as they work to advocate for and advance progress toward gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, is nothing short of incredible.

There is still much to hear about the activities of our SI representatives. Now, as we approach the Soroptimist International Dublin Convention next month, where Soroptimists from all over the world will be brought together to network, collaborate, and share the important achievements of our organisation with one another, our attention will be turning toward the voices taking centre stage throughout this key event.