Blog by Joseph Mason, SI Advocacy and Communications Coordinator.
As part of the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Soroptimist International (SI) hosted the parallel event ‘Soroptimists On the Road to Bridging the Gaps of Beijing+30’.
This event highlighted the ongoing challenges in gender equality and showcased the impactful work of SI’s five Federations in addressing critical areas of the Beijing Platform for Action, including education, health, violence, environment, and human rights. The event brought together key voices from Soroptimist International to share best practices and discuss solutions to closing the gender equality gap.
Opening Remarks: A Call to Action
The event opened with a powerful address from SI President Siew Yong Gnanalingam, reflecting on the progress and setbacks in achieving gender equality since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action 30 years ago. While the Beijing Declaration was a landmark achievement, gender disparities continue to persist across multiple sectors.
President Siew Yong highlighted major challenges such as violence against women and girls, economic inequality, the digital gender divide, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Despite advancements, global trends indicate a rollback in fundamental rights, making it imperative to accelerate efforts through stronger policies, increased investments, and heightened accountability measures. The event was framed as an opportunity to showcase effective, community-driven solutions implemented by Soroptimists worldwide.
SIAF – Sanitation Dignity Project (Presented by Immediate Past President Winnie Maru, SI Club Eldoret, Kenya)
Winnie Maru, Immediate Past President of SI Club Eldoret, shared insights into the Sanitation Dignity Project, a transformative initiative addressing sanitation challenges faced by elderly women and persons with disabilities in Kenya. The project was developed in response to the lack of basic sanitation facilities in rural areas, where pit latrines are the most common form of toilet.
These facilities pose significant challenges for those with limited mobility, stripping them of dignity and independence. To address this, the project upgrades pit latrines to sitting toilets and installs metal bars for support, ensuring accessibility and safety. By focusing on vulnerable populations, the initiative directly contributes to improved health, well-being, and quality of life, empowering women over 65 and people with disabilities to live with dignity.
SIA – Bridging the Gap for Education and Economic Empowerment for Women and Girls (Presented by SIA President Ginger Cole)
Ginger Cole discussed Soroptimist International of the Americas’ (SIA) flagship initiative, Bridging the Gap for Education and Economic Empowerment, which is part of SIA’s Big Goal to invest in the education and financial independence of 500,000 women and girls by 2031. Through Dream Programs like Live Your Dream Awards and Dream It, Be It, the initiative supports women and girls facing financial and social barriers to education.
Examples of local impact include the I Can Do It project in California, which helped high school girls struggling to afford college application fees, and the Big Goal Accelerator Project in Japan, which provided scholarships for foster care children transitioning into higher education. These programmes demonstrate how targeted financial and educational support can transform the lives of women and girls, enabling them to achieve economic stability and break cycles of poverty.
SIE – Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy (Presented by SIE Vice President, Rita Nogueira Ramos)
Rita Nogueira Ramos introduced Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy, an initiative spearheaded by SI Club Aarau in Switzerland. The project was created in response to research revealing that women consistently measure lower than men in financial literacy skills, limiting their ability to make informed economic decisions.
The initiative offers free financial education workshops focusing on budgeting, retirement planning, and investment strategies. To ensure accessibility and long-term impact, a comprehensive 25-page financial guide was developed, covering essential topics such as managing income, understanding credit, and preparing for retirement.
The project’s success has been evident in the increased confidence of participants, many of whom reported a newfound ability to create and maintain a budget. Due to high demand, the initiative expanded and repeated in 2024, reinforcing its role in reducing financial insecurity among women.
SIGBI – Bridging the Gaps on Women’s Safety (Presented by Lindsay Green, Director of Programmes)
Lindsay Green presented Bridging the Gaps on Women’s Safety, a collaborative effort led by SI Surrey Hills and supported by several Surrey-based SI clubs. The project aimed to address violence against women and girls (VAWG) by facilitating dialogue among key stakeholders, including law enforcement, local government, charities, and academics.
The event highlighted the urgent need for better prevention strategies and support systems for survivors. A key takeaway was the importance of engaging men in tackling sexism and violence, with the UK based charity ‘White Ribbon’ being used as an example of this and emphasising the role of male allies.
The project also explored innovative educational approaches, such as digital tools to combat violence against women and girls among youth. Attendees were encouraged to take actionable steps, including signing the White Ribbon Pledge and reporting stalking incidents through safety apps like Brightsky and Hollie Guard.
SISEAP – Save Mother Earth (Presented by SISEAP President Joane Yeoh and Programme Director Donnell Davis)
Joane Yeoh and Donnell Davis shed light on SI South-East Asia Pacific’s (SISEAP) commitment to environmental sustainability through the Save Mother Earth initiative. The project integrates gender and climate justice by focusing on the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on women and girls, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities.
Recognising that collaborative efforts are key to protecting the environment and ensuring long-term sustainability, SISEAP has led and supported multiple initiatives that bring together communities, schools, and policymakers to drive change.
A key project highlighted was the RAMSAR Shorebird Conservation Initiative, which raises awareness about the impact of climate change on migratory bird populations. The initiative engages schools, local communities, and government stakeholders in habitat conservation efforts.
In addition to advocacy, SISEAP members are actively involved in tree planting, plastic waste reduction, and promoting Indigenous knowledge on environmental conservation. The initiative exemplifies how grassroots activism can drive meaningful change in protecting ecosystems and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
SI Foundation – Driving Global Change (Presented by SI President Siew Yong Gnanalignam)
SI President Siew Yong Gnanalignam provided an overview of the Soroptimist International Foundation’s role in funding and supporting grassroots initiatives worldwide. Established in 2021, the Foundation enables SI to leverage charitable status to secure grants and expand its impact.
Current projects span multiple regions, including vocational training for out-of-school youth in Uganda, digital literacy programmes for women in the Caribbean, and education initiatives in Cambodia and Mali.
New projects for 2025 will focus on period poverty, climate resilience, and food security. A notable new initiative is the Greening Our Horizons project in Kenya, which empowers women and girls to become environmental leaders through conservation education and tree planting activities. By addressing interconnected global challenges, Soroptimist International Foundation ensures long-term, sustainable development outcomes.
SI Youth Forum – Youth Vision for International Cooperation (Presented by Alice Paola Pomè, SI Club Milano)
Alice Paola Pomè presented the work of the SI Youth Forum, a dynamic platform amplifying the voices of young Soroptimists in global advocacy. The Youth Forum plays a critical role in the Women 7 (W7) engagement group at the G7 Summit, advocating for policies on economic justice, violence against women and girls and climate action.
The SI Youth Forum operates through structured working groups focused on social media advocacy, international policy engagement, and intergenerational collaboration. A key achievement highlighted was the Voices of Change in Peace and Security Youth Forum webinar, which underscored the importance of intersectionality in advocacy and the need for greater investment in women-led grassroots organisations. The Youth Forum continues to play a key role in providing a youth perspective for SI, ensuring young people’s voices are heard and acknowledged.
Conclusion: Advancing Gender Equality Together
The event concluded with a sense of renewed commitment from Soroptimist International and its Federations to continue their advocacy and project work, ensuring that the gaps in gender equality are addressed through practical, community-driven solutions. As Beijing+30 approaches, the collective efforts of Soroptimists worldwide remain crucial in shaping a more equitable future for all women and girls.