Blog by SI Advocacy Coordinator, Hannah Agius.

“It was a pleasure to join Soroptimist International (SI) President Sharon and the SI Advocacy Team as they hosted the Soroptimist International CSW65 Parallel Event, ‘The Road to Equality: Preparing Women and Girls to Lead’. Representatives from the five Federations demonstrated how this year’s CSW themes directly correspond with the work of Soroptimist clubs around the globe.

First to speak was Claire Gilman, Soroptimist International Youth Advocate, working in New York. Claire explained that she is the Coxswain in an acclaimed professional rowing team and spoke candidly about her experience as a young woman in a position of leadership:

“I took to leadership as a way of overcoming earlier trauma. Very often, people underestimate my potential, and it can be difficult to overcome people’s preconceptions of me. Being a young woman in leadership is hard but it is young leaders who pave a path for other girls to follow. Being surrounded by powerful and passionate women is very encouraging so I thank you all. Let us keep paving a way for others.”

It was inspiring to hear Claire talk about leadership as both the means, and outcome, of her triumph over adversity.

Next to speak was Dianne Lockwood, Programme Director for SI South West Pacific Federation (SISWP). Dianne showcased the Shuuder Girls Centres, first established in Mongolia in 2017, to support girls from disadvantaged backgrounds with skills for personal development. One of the aspects of this project is to provide training for students to become reproductive health educators. The programme found that having students receive training to become peer educators in this taboo subject, has a far greater impact on how reproductive health information is received by other students, whilst also empowering the leaders with new knowledge, skills, and confidence.

Vice President of Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE), Saija Kuusisto-Lancaster, spoke about the value of mentoring:

“In an ideal world it shouldn’t matter if it’s a man or woman making the decisions. Yet women are crucial in leadership. SIE encourages more women to seek employment in leadership. We need to teach women to be more confident. SIE has begun reviewing educational activities to support women who are participating in continued education. We support them with scholarships and mentoring schemes which provide help and guidance to develop skills and confidence. SIE plans to begin offering mentoring from women in leadership to young women as they complete their studies. Mentoring is a way of sharing SIE’s knowledge and skills and encouraging other women to dare to lead. If every Soroptimist in Europe becomes a mentor for young women, we will have 30,000 young women leaders coming!”

Penny Babb, Federation President for Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) introduced the ‘Dream It, Be It’ programme from SIA.

“Young girls so often hear about girl power but don’t feel equipped to become it. At Dream It, Be It, we show girls how to be what they want to be – identifying strengths, setting goals, and overcoming obstacles. ‘Dream It, Be It’ adjusts its curriculum to suit the needs of the local community, using adaptive and innovative ways of nurturing leadership. The girls stick to their goals because they know that they are in reach. We know that poverty is a cycle, but empowerment is a cycle too. When a girl is equipped to effect change, she is a catalyst for development.”

Next to present was Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland’s (SIGBI) Irmin McKenzie, Secretary of Soroptimist International Esperance, who spoke on the importance of women’s and girl’s leadership in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). “DigiGirlz is a project that SIGBI is running in collaboration with Microsoft across rural areas of Trinidad and Tobago where many women and girls are constrained by cultural norms and gender stereotypes”. Irmin explained that STEM training can combat these barriers through economic empowerment and capacity building. “The girls were made aware of non-traditional STEM careers and non-traditional routes into those careers”.

The participants of the programme have become role models for other women and girls in their communities as they demonstrate the richness of opportunities available to women in STEM. However, Irmin explained that if current trends persist, it is predicted that it will take another 100 years to achieve gender parity in STEM – all the more reason to push for change!

Following congratulations for the chartering of the new Soroptimist Federation, Chinwe Ezenwa-Mbah, Advocacy Representative for Soroptimist International Federation of Africa (SIFAF) explained how every region of Africa is working to address stereotypes and overcome discrimination against women and girls in leadership and decision-making positions. Chinwe showcased projects from Morocco, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria and discussed the importance of ongoing capacity building programmes, stating that “education is the key to leadership”.

In the final segment, SI President, Sharon Fisher, addressed the floor:

“We all have a dreamer inside us, where anything is possible if we are willing to persevere. Yet many women and girls must overcome what seems impossible to survive. Through local and global efforts, Soroptimist International works to achieve the empowerment of women and girls. In so doing, we must understand the barriers to women’s leadership and join hands to create change, we all need to be leaders and advocates. The ‘Road to Equality’ appeal joins together with survivors, activists and experts to find solutions to these barriers and demonstrate that it is possible to overcome them”.

This parallel event was a celebration of the strength of Soroptimist International in defending the rights of women and girls. It made me proud to be a part of this global movement, and determined to keep up the fight for women’s full and equal participation in leadership and decision making positions.”

 

Watch the recording of the Event below.

Download the Event Powerpoint document HERE