Deemed a ‘shadow pandemic’, it is reported that during lockdown, as some four billion people stayed safe in their homes, many found themselves in danger; a parallel pandemic of violence against women taking place behind closed doors. On 5 April 2020, António Guterres, UN Secretary General, urged Member States to recognise that ‘violence is not confined to battlefields’, calling for protection of women and girls from domestic violence.

Hear from three inspiring speakers, to uncover global, national and individual perspectives of domestic violence, one of the six key themes of the SI President’s Appeal, Road to Equality.

 

Date: 5 November

Time: 10:00 AM PST

Please register in advance for this meeting at:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErcuCtrz0sGtNHrAY4UPs2qpXGdNwVs5-I

Following registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the meeting.

Speakers:

Gigie Penalosa, Governor-Elect of Philippines Region/SIA, Past SI Board Member, Past SIA Secretary Treasurer, and member of SI Mandaluyong. Gigie will be speaking on the Soroptimist Philippines Region identifying project, ‘Adopt a Women and Children’s Protection Desk‘, which is present in every police precinct throughout the country.

 

 

 

Sarah Gallardo, is the Executive Director of Sarah Speaks Up; a practiced public speaker, domestic violence advocate, counsellor, and author of ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’.  Sarah is member of SI Farmington Valley in Connecticut, USA.

 

 

 

 

Patricia Vargas is a founding member, and board member of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS), a voice for survivors and the shelters that serve them. Working to strengthen and unite the women’s shelter movement globally, GNWS seeks to end violence against women and their children. Patricia is currently Director, Children, Family and Community Service at the Catholic Social Services of Alberta, and has also presented at the United Nations on ‘The Role of Shelters in Keeping Women Safe’.

 

 

 

Further reading is available at: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/campaigns/domestic-violence/