VAWG Archives - Soroptimist International

Human Rights Council 50th Session

During the Human Rights Council 50th Session, the annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women was held on June 27, 2022. Donatella Benjamin, SI UN Representative in Geneva, reports on the panel exploring the nexus between climate change and violence against women and girls (VAWG). “In her opening

End Sexual Violence in Conflict

Blog by Donatella Benjamin, SI UN Representative in Geneva. “The Global Survivors Fund (“GSF”), for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, was officially inaugurated on 9th March 2022 in Geneva, in the presence of its founders Dr. Denis Mukwege and Ms. Nadia Murad, co-laureates of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. Why

Every State Needs a Femicide Watch

Donatella Benjamin, SI UN Representative, reports from the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE, held on 6-7 April 2022 in Geneva. "The Government of Spain and UN Women organised the side event “One femicide watch in every country to end the shadow pandemic”. Governments, women's rights advocates, feminists, academia

End FGM – A Day in the Life of the Soroptimist Six

Blog by Nina Smart. "International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM (ZTD), was celebrated in many ways in Sierra Leone, as activists used the opportunity to bring attention to the lack of a ban on the practice that recently killed two more girls. Long-time activist Rugiatu Turay, one of the

Our Voice at the UN – December

This edition takes a look at how SI is actively advocating for the ratification and implementation of the ILO C-190 to end harrassment in the workplace, and brings news from CoNGO's Civil Society Summit on Substantiative Issues. But first, let's kick start with the latest news on CSW 66...

Top Takeaways from the 14th Session of the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

Soroptimist International (SI) Advocacy Advisor, Linda Witong, and Soroptimist International of Americas (SIA) President Elect, Kazuko Morita, share their top takeaways from the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Kyoto, 7-12 March, 2021. Photo: Sachiko Inoue (left), Kazuko Morita (right) A key session for

14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

SI Advocacy Advisor, Linda Witong, blogs from the 14th Session of the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). "The 14th Session of CCPCJ began in Kyoto, Japan, on March 7, 2021. Its participants began by observing that it had been 50 years since Kyoto had hosted

The Intent and Importance of the Istanbul Convention

Blog by Berthe De Vos, SI UN Representative Geneva. "All forms of violence are a clear violation of our human right. Whether we speak of crimes against women or domestic violence, prior to 2014, no European framework had set the necessary legal standards. But the need remains, as one out

Momentous Victory Against Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

SI UN Representative in Geneva, Berthe De Vos, brings us tremendous news from the International Labour Organisation (ILO). "Even in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, there are positive developments … and this time on a problem that to this day has deprived employees of their dignity, equal opportunities, safety,

COVID-19 and the rise of violence

Following her attendance at three UNESCO webinars, SI UN Representative, Marie-Christine Gries, discusses the rise in violence witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The pandemic has triggered a sharp increase in violence around the world, especially in the domestic sphere, with women being disproportionately affected. Action on behalf of victims is

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